Expectations are part of the human cycle. Again, we do not have expectations of everyone we meet. There is a qualification that they meet for you to have expectations of them. It could be that they are friends, family, or mates. This existing relationship licenses you to have expectations of them. The same is true about God and us. He has expectations of us because we have a relationship with Him. It is important for us to first understand the relationship we have with him then His expectations and the reasons behind them. It is okay for Him to have expectations of us because we also have expectations of Him. It goes both ways.

After creation, God clearly defined the fruits Adam and Eve could eat and what they could not. He also explained the consequences of disobeying his instructions. He expected that they would obey. They, however, disappointed Him. Lack of clear understanding of God’s expectations of the first family greatly contributed to the fall of man. The devil used this to dupe Eve into disobeying God. Learning from them, we need to get it right this time and not let God down. Neither will He let us down.

As we develop our relationship with God, we want to please Him and gain His favor. The surest way of doing so is by meeting His expectations of us. What are they?

1. Practice forgiveness.

We all agree that forgiving is the right thing to do because even Jesus forgave those who crucified Him. The question that remains is how we can completely take away the hurt that other people have caused in our lives. Some people forgive their offenders as long as they are not seeing them. The pain and bitterness are renewed when they see them. Does this qualify as forgiveness?

God expects us to practice forgiveness so that we can also earn His. Had God been unforgiving, we would not have received the gift of Salvation. When you understand why this is God’s expectation of you, it is easier to execute it.

On the question of how often we should forgive, Jesus taught that we should forgive seventy-seven times. It is possible by the grace of God.

2. Loving God.

God expects us to love Him. He loved us and still does despite our imperfections. When an expert of the law tested Jesus by asking what the greatest commandment is, He said it is loving God with all our heart, mind, and soul. As the greatest commandment, it is equally the Lord’s first expectation of us. Loving God is a daily commitment to obey His word until it eventually becomes a lifestyle.

Loving God will lead you away from sin. You will strive to please God because you do not want to disappoint Him. Consider the investment of love you put on someone you care about. How much more can you do for God?

3. Love our enemies.

Almost nobody loves enemies. However, the teachings of Jesus teach us to go against the world – love our enemies, and do good to them without expecting anything in return. We are not from the world and our character is equally unique. We should be different from people who pray for the destruction (or worse, the death) of their enemies. The love of God covers even those who have turned out to be your enemies.

Instead of wishing ill on them, God wants you to pray for them to change and become good people like yourself. Treat them right so that they finally come to see how differently (in a good way) you treat your enemies. It may touch their hearts and you would have won souls for Christ!

God expects you to love those who hate and persecute you without a cause. He wants to use you as a vessel for spreading His unconditional love.

4. Be other-people-centered.

The gospel of Jesus is centered on other people and your service to them. We are servants for the glory of the Lord and as such, our lives should reflect our servanthood. God expects us not to make ourselves the center of our lives, but instead live for others. Jesus Christ was other-people centered as Apostle Paul teaches the church in Philippians – Christ humbled Himself to become a servant even though He is the Son of God. He led by example to meet the expectations of God on us.

Living for other people makes you blessed as Jesus taught in the Beatitudes. There is a prize in being a servant of others – God will show up for you.

5. Completely trust in God.

God wants us to follow the example of Children. It is because children meet the expectations of their parents. Being like them is a visa into Heaven. God expects us to completely trust Him the way children trust their parents to provide everything for them. When we worry about provisions, He is disappointed that we do not trust Him to be a good Father.

For this reason. Jesus taught that we should not be worried about any provision because our Heavenly Father who provides for nature shall also provide for us. A parent is proud when he sees the trust his child has in him. It motivates him to do more than the child’s request. This is a reflection of our relationship with God.

6. Humility.

Humility is the state of not considering yourself highly than others. God expects us to be humble to attract more people to salvation. Throughout Biblical history, God has been consistent in how He chooses humble servants. It was one of the qualifications that led Him to choose Moses.

Let God be the one to say that you are better than other people but never do it yourself. It will invite the spirit of pride that He strongly dislikes. Practice humility wherever you are and you will meet His expectations.

Understanding and meeting the expectations of God in your life is important to make your relationship with Him last longer. Follow through with it.

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