I want to live my life for God. How do I do that?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Living for God means pursuing a relationship with Him that transforms every part of our lives. The Bible shows that this involves more than rule-following—it’s about loving obedience, continual prayer, studying Scripture, and walking in unity with other believers. We grow in godliness by letting God’s Word shape our hearts, relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance, and aligning our desires with what Jesus wants. Both Old and New Testament passages emphasize that God delights in obedience from the heart, not just outward actions. As we center our lives on Him through spiritual disciplines and community, we learn to live for God by truly wanting what He wants.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Living for God is not a matter of following a set of rules. In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to follow a system of sacrifices, but Samuel said to Saul, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams" (1 Samuel 15:22).
• Studying God’s Word reveals to us things about His character, His Son and Holy Spirit, His amazing works in the past and the ones He will complete in the future, and so much more. Since God’s Word is the key source for our wisdom and understanding of God, studying it is a big part of living a godly life. In a metaphorical sense, we should be so invested in what God’s Word has to say that it acts as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105).
• Obedience to God’s commands is a key aspect of living a life for God. It puts our faith in action: “I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it” (Psalm 119:32-35)

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• As previously stated, obedience is foundational to living a life for God. In John 14:15 Jesus says: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." Our primary focus should be on doing what He wants, which is pursuing a relationship with Him and unity in the body of Christ.
• We can also ask the Holy Spirit (John 16:13) to apply what we study in the Scriptures to our lives and guide us into the relationship with Jesus that He desires.
• In order for us to live for God, we must know what He wants. In John 17:20–26, Jesus gives us insight into this—praying specifically for two things: that all believers may be unified, and that all believers will have an ongoing relationship with Him. Simply put, living for Jesus means that we want what He wants.
• Prayer is another huge aspect of living a life for God. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, believers are told to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Likewise, in our daily life we should involve God in our thoughts and actions through continual prayer.
• Once we are adopted into God’s family, we have many brothers and sisters in Christ that we have the privilege of encouraging and being encouraged by (Hebrews 10:24-25). As we invest in close relationships with our spiritual family, we are pursuing a Christ-centered life.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Living a life for God means reorienting every part of our daily life—our time, choices, relationships, and desires—around Him. It begins with the heart: wanting what God wants and growing in love for Him through intentional time in prayer and Scripture. We can start each day by seeking Him, asking for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and offering even ordinary tasks as acts of worship. We need to regularly ask ourselves: Am I making decisions based on what honors God? This kind of intentionality transforms how we work, speak, rest, and relate to others. Obedience becomes less about obligation and more about trust—believing that God's ways are good even when they are hard. We are not called to do this alone; staying connected to Christian community helps us stay encouraged and accountable. When we consistently choose prayer over worry, obedience over compromise, and fellowship over isolation, we reflect a life centered on God. Ultimately, in order to live for God, we must want what He wants. Living for Him is not a one-time decision but a daily pursuit—one that shapes us more and more into the image of Christ.

UNDERSTAND

• Living for God begins with a relationship.
• Living for God is about pursuing a loving, personal relationship with Him, shaped by prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
• We live for God by desiring what He desires and expressing our love through wholehearted obedience to His commands.

REFLECT

• How often do you intentionally seek God's guidance in your daily decisions, and what does that reveal about your desire to live for Him?
• Where in your life is God calling you to live more for Him?
• How is your obedience to God driven by love and trust, rather than pressure or obligation?

ENGAGE

• What does it practically look like for us to “want what God wants”?
• How can we encourage one another to grow in loving obedience and remain faithful when following God feels hard?
• How does staying connected to Christian community help us pursue a life that’s centered on God?