"What does God expect out of us?"
How often do we hear that "perception shapes reality?" If a parent expects a child to be naughty and belligerent, that parent may treat the child in such a way that he/she may act out in that kind of behavior. If a teacher has low expectations of a student, that teacher may consider that student to be an average or below average student, and even if the student performs to a higher level than the teacher's expectations, the student will at best get an average grade. More importantly, the student may well not achieve to his/her potential capability.
When we are speaking of living a moral life, does "perception shape reality?" Many people have talked about how our understanding of God effects the way in which we live our lives. If we think God is "all grace, but no law" we may feel that we can live as we please and there will be no consequences. After all, won't God forgive us? If we think God is "all law, but no grace" we may be so fearful of doing something wrong that we will not try to do anything. We will live like nocturnal animals who will not allow themselves to see the light of day. Our life will shed no light.
During my seminary training Dr. Gerhard Forde would often lecture on Luther's theology of law and gospel. Especially in referring to Paul's question in Romans 6, "Should we sin so that grace may abound?" he would smile sheepishly and say with Paul, "by no means." It was as if to exclaim, "how could we?" If we truly understand how through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus we have been transferred from death to life, we will not abundantly sin. God's grace lifts our expectations higher. Consequently, we would strive to respond with a life lived more closely to God. When we sin, we would return to the Cross more quickly and ask God's forgiveness.
In Holy Baptism we are brought together with Jesus' death and resurrection. We are set free. God has the expectation of us being God's children. From that moment on God's expectations for us evoke from us a life that stays close to God. Even when we fail to live our lives as we should, we know that God isn't a taskmaster who will rap us on the knuckles, but someone who will welcome us back. Then once again God will say, "now go live out your faith as best you can."
God does expect great things out of us. But when we fall flat on our face God welcomes us back. So it should be in our lives. When we fail to live according to our promises towards our spouse, our children, or our co-workers, we should ask for forgiveness and then try to do better. If others begin to see the results of our efforts, they will begin to believe in us.
"What does God expect out of us?" God wants us to realize that we are saved by grace, and to make a sincere effort to respond with gratitude. When we do, all those whose lives will touch will be encouraged to also realize their potential.
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