God desires a personal relationship with each one of us. As our Creator, He longs for us to know Him and walk in fellowship with Him. The Bible reveals many ways we can pursue an intimate connection with God and fulfill His desires for our lives.
God wants us to trust and believe in Jesus Christ
Most importantly, God wants us to believe in the salvation offered through His Son Jesus. John 3:16 explains, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Our faith and trust in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is essential for reconciliation with God. When we accept Jesus as Lord of our lives, our sins are forgiven and we receive the gift of eternal life with God (Romans 6:23).
God wants us to love Him and obey His commands
Loving God wholeheartedly is vital to pleasing Him. Deuteronomy 6:5 instructs, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Our love for God is demonstrated through obedience. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” As we obey God out of love and devotion, our relationship with Him deepens.
God wants us to pursue intimacy through prayer
Consistent, heartfelt prayer nurtures closeness with God. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray without ceasing.” Through prayer we communicate our praise, thanks, confession, and requests to God. It aligns our hearts with His purposes. The more time we spend seeking God in prayer, the more intimate our walk with Him becomes.
God wants us to study and meditate on Scripture
Regular study of God’s Word is imperative for knowing His heart and drawing near to Him. The Bible is one of the main ways God speaks to us. As Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Immersing ourselves in Scripture equips us to discern God’s voice and direction for our lives. It renews our minds to become more like Christ.
God wants us to be involved in a church community
Fellowship with other believers is another way we can pursue closeness with God. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us to meet together regularly to encourage each other in the faith. Attending church connects us with the body of Christ. Serving in ministry allows us to use our gifts for God’s glory. Spiritual friendships spur us on toward maturity in Christ.
God wants us to be witnesses for Christ
Telling others about Jesus is an act of obedience that demonstrates our love for God. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus commissioned His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). As we share the gospel through word and deed, we participate in God’s mission to redeem the world. Our witness points people toward salvation and eternal life with Him.
God wants us to live holy lives
Pursuing moral purity pleases God and positions us to thrive in our relationship with Him. 1 Peter 1:15-16 declares, “As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'” Avoiding sin and destructive habits, while developing Christlike virtues allows us to more clearly see, hear, and walk with God.
God wants us to be generous and care for others
Compassionately caring for those in need is central to living out God’s love. Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40). Giving generously to the poor, volunteering, and using our gifts to serve others brings joy to God’s heart. It demonstrates Christ’s love through us.
God wants us to give Him glory in all things
Ultimately, all that we do should honor God and point to Him. 1 Corinthians 10:31 instructs, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Our words, thoughts, and actions should reflect Christ to the world around us. Fulfilling our God-given purpose brings praise and glory to Him.
Intimacy with God begins when we place our faith in Jesus Christ. As we seek Him through spiritual practices, obey His Word, and live for His purposes, our relationship with God grows stronger. He desires for us to know Him deeply as our loving Father and Friend.
The Bible contains over 31,000 verses that provide insight into how we can fulfill God’s desires and walk in close fellowship with Him. While God wants many things for and from us, most importantly He wants a personal relationship with each person. He created us for intimate connection with Himself. As our Creator, God longs for us to know and love Him. He wants us to trust in Jesus Christ for salvation and eternity with Him. God desires for us to pursue spiritual practices like prayer, Bible study, and church community that will nourish our bond with Him. Our obedience to God’s Word and selfless service to others also express our love for Him. Ultimately, fulfilling God’s purposes for our lives brings glory to Him alone.
Though God has many standards and instructions found in Scripture, they can be summarized by two primary desires: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27). God wants wholehearted devotion and moral uprightness from His followers. As we demonstrate our love through intimacy with Him and care for others, our lives align with God’s perfect, loving will.
While God calls every Christian to fulfill unique purposes, the basics of what He wants from all of us remain the same. God desires for us to have childlike faith in Him (Luke 18:17), bear the fruit of His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), act justly and walk humbly (Micah 6:8), praise and glorify Him (Psalm 86:12), and share the gospel with others (Matthew 28:19-20). Fundamentally, God wants us to love Him above all else and let this love overflow into the world around us.
Though our heavenly Father has many wishes for His children, Scripture reveals His foremost desire is for us to know His love and become like His Son Jesus Christ. As Romans 8:29 explains, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” God’s ultimate goal for each of us is spiritual transformation into Christ’s likeness. When we daily pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus, reading God’s Word, serving others, and living out His purposes, we align ourselves with what matters most to God.
While God calls some to vocational ministry roles, ultimately He wants all Christians to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples (Matthew 28:19). He desires every believer to leverage their unique gifts and passions for building His Kingdom. Whether through volunteering, financial giving, or simple acts of service, God wants us caring for the needs of others, especially the poor and marginalized. He also wants us regularly gathering with other Christians for worship, teaching, prayer and fellowship (Acts 2:42). Overall, intimacy with Him and loving outreach to others are what God desires most from each of His children.
Our Creator God is loving and relational at His core, so it follows that His foremost desire is for intimate connection with us. All of His commandments and expectations stem from wanting us to thrive in relationship with Him. According to Christ, the two greatest commandments are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). God wired us for loving Him and others. As we pursue wholehearted devotion to God and selfless service to others, we fulfill His purposes and experience the full blessed life He intends for us.
More than anything, God longs for us to choose to return His unconditional love by following Him with heartfelt obedience. Deuteronomy 10:12-13 provides clear insight, asking “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?” Loving intimacy with God expressed through faithful obedience is what He ultimately desires from each of us.
Throughout the Bible, it becomes clear that above all, God wants us to be in deep relationship with Him through Christ and be transformed by His Spirit. His greatest desire is for Christ to be formed in us (Galatians 4:19) and that we would walk as Jesus did (1 John 2:6). God wants continual closeness with us through persistent prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He wants us to love Him with abandon, obey His commands, serve others, make disciples, give generously and live out His purposes for His glory. Intimacy and partnership with God is His foremost desire for our lives.
At the heart of Scripture, we find God yearning for all people to know His unconditional love and saving grace through Christ. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 proclaims “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” His greatest desire is to redeem humanity and restore our broken relationship with Him. Though God calls us to moral obedience and selfless service, these demonstrations of love flow from salvation through Christ. Pleasing God starts with intimacy found in new life through Jesus.
Our heavenly Father’s perfect love sent Jesus to secure our eternal salvation. Now God wants all individuals to accept this gift of grace He freely offers. Scripture makes clear nothing pleases God more than when lost souls turn to Him for redemption. Luke 15 illustrates God’s heart for the lost through the parables of the lost coin, lost sheep and lost son. When sinners repent, all heaven rejoices. Intimacy with God through experiencing His salvation is His foremost desire for all people.
While God cares about outward acts of righteousness and obedience, at the core He looks at the heart. Throughout the Bible, God condemns religious hypocrisy and empty ritual devoid of love. What matters most to Him is our motivation behind obedience. 1 Samuel 15:22 declares that “to obey is better than sacrifice.” God wants wholehearted devotion that overflows from an inner transformed spirit. His foremost desire is for our hearts to be fully His, loving Him and others out of intimate relationship rather than duty alone.
According to Christ’s teachings, all of God’s law and prophets hang on the dual commands to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40). At its foundation, what God wants from us is wholehearted love. Scripture portrays a God who would leave the 99 to pursue one lost sheep and rejoice over one sinner who repents. Above all, God desires intimate relationship with us expressed through extravagant love – both for Him and for one another.
While God has many wishes, ultimately His Word reveals He wants us to know Christ and make Him known. Everything else flows from this relationship. God desires for us to enjoy friendship with Him, bear righteous fruit, courageously share the gospel, meet others’ needs, and use our gifts to build His Kingdom. He wants hearts fully devoted to loving and serving Him. As we fulfill God’s purposes, our lives point people to salvation in Jesus. Intimacy with God through trusting Christ as Savior and Lord is what matters most to Him.
Though God gives each believer a unique assignment, the basics of His will remain consistent: pursuing holiness, serving others, giving generously, living obediently, sharing our faith, meeting together as the church, and bringing Him glory. But these actions are motivated by our inner transformation through intimacy with God. Scripture reveals the heart of God who leaves the 99 to rescue the one lost sheep. Above all, He desires for us to know His unconditional, reckless love for us through Christ.
Intimacy with God is His first priority and purpose for our lives. Every other desire He has for us flows out of an overflowing love relationship with Him. God wants us to know Him (Jeremiah 9:24), love Him fully (Deuteronomy 6:5), seek Him first (Matthew 6:33), glorify Him (1 Corinthians 10:31), obey His commands (John 14:15), and make disciples (Matthew 28:19). As we pursue deeper connection with Jesus Christ through studying God’s Word, persistent prayer, fellowship and worship, our lives align with God’s ultimate plan.
Though God gives each of us personalized assignments, His foremost desires remain consistent for all His children. Most importantly, He wants each person to enter relationship with Him through trusting in Christ’s atoning sacrifice (John 3:16). He wants us to love Him with abandon, obey His commands, serve those in need, share the gospel, gather with other believers, leverage our gifts for His glory, and fulfill our purpose in Him. Intimacy with God through abiding in Christ is both the starting point and end goal of all God asks of us.
In both the Old and New Testaments, we find a God passionately pursuing relationship and intimacy with His people. The Shema in Deuteronomy 6 proclaims the call to wholehearted love and devotion to God. In the New Testament, Jesus summarizes all God’s laws in the dual command to love God and others (Matthew 22:37-40). 1 Corinthians 13 describes love as the “most excellent way” and the root motivation behind every spiritual gift and act of service. Above all, God wants our lives to be marked by extravagant love for Him and others that flows out of intimate relationship with Him.
According to the Bible, the two greatest commandments are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). Every other desire God expresses for humanity stems from a foundation of wholehearted love. Through seeking intimacy with God and pursuing Christlike love for others, we align our lives with what matters most to our Creator. Loving relationship is the essence of what He wants from us.
No one verse or passage fully encompasses everything God wants from humanity. Yet the overarching narrative of Scripture reveals a passionate God relentlessly pursuing intimate relationship and partnership. Jesus summed it up by saying the two greatest commandments are loving God and loving others (Matthew 22:37-40). Our Creator invites each of us into a romance of redemption, desiring our lives, gifts, and talents employed for His glorious purposes. Fundamentally, God wants hearts wholly devoted to Him in extravagant love.
While God has standards He wants believers to uphold, the core motivation behind it all is love. 1 John 4:19 reminds us “we love because he first loved us.” God desires relationship with us through Christ that leads to transformation. As we encounter God’s extravagant grace, our hearts overflow with love for Him and others. The essence of God’s will is that our lives would be marked by the same redemptive love that led Christ to lay down His life for us. Everything else stems from this passionate pursuit of intimacy with God and partnership in His purposes.
When we examine Scripture as a whole, we find a God relentlessly pursuing intimacy, redemption, and restoration with fallen humanity. Out of extravagant love, God sent His Son Jesus to make the way for relationship. His foremost desire for each person is that we would trust Christ as Savior and allow God’s transforming love to renew our hearts and minds. As redeemed people, God wants us to love Him fully, love others compassionately, fulfill our calling, and bring glory to His name. Pleasing God starts and ends with wholehearted intimacy with Him.