Require

<<demand, expect>>

The Bible asks, “What does the Lord ask of you, but to fear Him, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve Him with all your heart and mind, and to obey His decrees?” (Deut 10:12,13). Elsewhere, in response to the question what does the Lord require, the answer

Am I doing what God requires of me?

is expanded “To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Mic 6:8). Jesus reinforced this requirement, stating ‘Love God with your whole being, and your neighbour as yourself’ (Mk 12:30,31).

Paul forcefully stated God demands all people to repent (Act 17:30). This is an authoritative directive that has serious consequences if not obeyed with all those not walking in God’s way doomed to a lost eternity. God is holy and cannot tolerate sin. He declared that those who sin will die (Ezek 18:4,20). However, what His holiness required/demanded which is purity, His love provided through Jesus dying as our substitute when He took our penalty for sin (Jn 3:16-17). This is the gospel message. If we don’t warn the unsaved of impending doom we are obligated to give the Lord an explanation as to why we failed in our mission (Ezek 3:18,20, 33:6,8). Likewise, God will hold pastors accountable for their congregations (Ezek 34:10). This is not for the individual responses to what is preached, but in relation to the delivery of the message of God – was its content truthful and consistent with the Bible (Tit 1:9)? He also indicates they will give account of their ministry in ‘watching over’ the flock (Heb 13:17).

Living an honourable life and doing good can't earn eternal salvation, to receive this gift (Eph 2:8,9). Rather it requires us to acknowledge we are unable on our own to meet God's condition but only to own up to our sin and rely on Christ's substitution on our behalf. Living right and good works should result and so are the evidence of the new life.