Living on God’s terms: The key to a purposeful Christian walk
Dearly Beloved, What does it really mean to live for God? Can we honestly say we live for Him while holding tightly to our own plans, desires, and ambitions? At Real Worship Canada, we believe these are crucial questions for every believer’s faith life.
To live for God means to live on His terms — not ours. This is a vital truth that many Christians overlook. We might attend church, read the Bible, and pray regularly, yet if our lives aren’t aligned with God’s will, we aren’t truly living for Him.
The foundation: God’s word is our constitution
God’s Word is absolute. It is His “constitution” — the unchanging, authoritative guide for life in His kingdom. These biblical principles reveal God’s heart and His will for us. Jesus Himself said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:21). For followers at Real Worship Canada and beyond, love and Christian obedience are inseparable.
The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Our duty is clear — to live by God’s commandments, not by our own preferences or cultural influences. This is a core focus of our Bible study resources.
Surrendering our will
Living on God’s terms requires a complete surrender to God. The apostle Paul urges us: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). At Real Worship Canada, we teach that this means we must stop conforming to worldly patterns and renew our minds daily through God’s Word.
This is a daily choice to align our thoughts, desires, and actions with His truth. True surrender involves:
- Presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice.
- Ceasing to conform to the patterns of this world.
- Renewing our minds daily through scripture.
- Intentionally aligning our thoughts and actions with God’s will.
But surrender isn’t always easy. Sometimes God’s terms challenge us. They may mean giving up comfort, convenience, or even relationships. Yet, His ways lead to lasting joy and peace. Joshua was reminded of this when God said: “Only be strong and very courageous… that you may observe to do according to all the law… that you may prosper wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7). God’s promise is clear: Christian obedience leads to success and blessing.
Living with purpose and confidence
When we commit to living on God’s terms, we experience a life of purposeful living as God intended. The psalmist declares: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…but delights in the law of the Lord, and in His law meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in its season” (Psalm 1:1–3). We see at Real Worship Canada that God’s Word is life-giving and sustaining.
It nourishes our spirit, strengthens our faith, and empowers us to bear fruit. Jesus reassures us: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7). This is not a promise of selfish wishes fulfilled but of God-directed desires being realized as we remain connected to Him and His Word.
God is bound by his word
One of the most powerful truths for our Christian walk is that God is bound by His own Word. He cannot and will not break His promises. As we often explore in our sermons at Real Worship Canada, this is a foundational pillar of our faith.
It is impossible for God to lie. (Hebrews 6:18)
This means when God declares a blessing or a promise in Scripture, it is sure and steadfast. Therefore, when we pray or stand on God’s promises, we are standing on the firm foundation of His unchanging Word. Jesus often responded to temptations by saying, “It is written” — affirming the authority and power of God’s Word.
The ultimate question: Are you living on God’s terms?
It is easy to ask God for His blessings while living by our own rules. But God calls us to a higher standard — to live fully surrendered to Him. The teachings at Real Worship Canada consistently return to this challenge from Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Let this be your daily prayer and pursuit. Ask yourself honestly:
- Am I truly living on God’s terms today?
- Am I seeking His will first, above my own plans?
- Or am I asking God to bless my own ambitions?
Closing reflection on your Christian walk
Living on God’s terms means choosing obedience, surrender to God, and trust in His perfect will. It means valuing His Word above our feelings or culture. For the community of Real Worship Canada, it means walking daily in faith, confident that His promises are sure.
God’s terms are the key to a life of blessing, purpose, and eternal reward. Will you embrace them? To explore this topic further, visit our blog for more resources on purposeful living.
