Have you ever wondered, How does God want me to live? Or, What does God want me to do? If you asked a room full of Christians that question, you’d probably get a ton of different answers. The good news is that God’s purpose for us isn’t as complicated as we sometimes make it.
God’s desire for us isn’t about following a long list of impossible rules—it’s about following Jesus Christ. When we live and love like Jesus, we step into the life God created us to live.
So, what does that look like? Here are four simple but powerful ways to live the Christian life the way God calls us to.
1. Be a Part of God’s Kingdom
God’s kingdom isn’t a place on a map—it’s a way of living.
God’s kingdom isn’t a place on a map—it’s a way of living. When Jesus Christ began His ministry, He preached about the kingdom of God, inviting people to experience life under His reign. This kingdom is a lifestyle built on God’s love, justice, kindness, and truth.
It’s not about power or self-seeking desires but walking humbly with God and loving others.
God wants us to be active partners in His kingdom. That means choosing a life that reflects His right living, grace, and peace. It means living in a loving relationship with Him and other believers and resisting temptation.
Through faith in Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can experience the joy, hope, and purpose that come from being part of God’s kingdom. As we pray, explore Scripture, and pursue other spiritual disciplines, we grow closer to God and align our hearts with His will for our lives on earth.
And the more our words, actions, and thoughts reflect Jesus, the more the kingdom of God expands—bringing hope, freedom, and peace to people all over the world.
2. Embrace Repentance
Living the way God wants isn’t about perfection—it’s about direction. That’s why Jesus always asked people to choose a new way of living. That choice is what He meant by the word “repent.”
In Hebrew, the word for repentance is teshuva, which is more than just feeling guilty about sin. It means returning to what is right and pure. It’s recognizing where our lives don’t align with Jesus’ way of living and choosing to change.
God’s love is always calling us back to Him. When we disobey God, He doesn’t turn away from us. Instead, He invites us to return.
Repentance isn’t about shame—it’s about grace, forgiveness, and restoration. When we sin, repentance is our response to the ongoing, loving invitation to come back to God.
3. Accept and Share the Gospel
The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came as a new kind of king—not to conquer nations, but to restore the world through God’s grace. His death and resurrection made a way for us to be saved, bringing us into a close relationship with our heavenly Father.
Following Jesus means making this good news the primary focus of our lives. It means living out the gospel in the way we love others, seek justice, forgive, and extend kindness. It also means sharing this truth with others so they can get to know God’s love, too.
God calls us to share the hope and peace we’ve found in Christ. We begin with prayer, worship, and simply living a life that reflects His goodness. When we obey God and follow Jesus, we show the world what it means to live in God’s kingdom. And we tell people the story of Jesus, sharing the good news that has the power to bring hope to all people.
Want to learn even more about the gospel? Check out this article!
4. Rely on God’s Grace and Strength
Jesus taught an upside-down way of living—one that goes against our natural instincts. He called people to love their enemies, forgive those who hurt them, and do the right thing instead of seeking personal gain. It’s a beautiful way of life, but let’s be honest: None of us have the willpower to live this way on our own.
Thankfully, God doesn’t expect us to. His grace is what changes us over time. As we spend time in Scripture, prayer, and worship, the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts, shaping our deepest values and motivations. Instead of striving to live a perfect life in our own strength, we can rely on God’s power to help us follow Jesus.
God wants us to experience the joy of a close relationship with Him, and that happens as we learn to depend on His love and grace. When we embrace our need for Him, we open ourselves to the life He created us for—a life filled with faith, peace, and purpose.
How Does God Want Us to Live?
So, how does God want us to live? The answer is simple: He wants us to follow Jesus. He wants us to love kindness, forgive regularly, walk humbly, and build a close relationship with Him. He wants us to experience the joy of His presence and the wonder of His grace.
God’s love for us isn’t complicated, and neither is His calling. We’re invited to live life with Him, embrace repentance, and share His good news with others. When we do, we’ll find that life with God isn’t just good—it’s the best life we could ever live.
This article is inspired by the small group study guide, Following Jesus: Conversations About the Kingdom by Life.Church. Use this guide with friends, family, or your small group to explore Jesus’ way of living together. You’ll discover new, richer, and more beautiful ways to follow Him.