DESIRES OF THOSE WHO FOLLOW CHRIST

SOME OF THE DESIRES OF THOSE WHO FOLLOW CHRIST

(by R.J. Evans)

The word "desire" involves a strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen (Webster). I find it interesting that there are 154 references to the word desire, 53 references to the word desired, and 42 references to the word desires in the Bible (NKJV). Some of them are in reference to what God desires for man. Many of them pertain to man and his desires---some good and some bad.

In a brief manner, let's consider some of the desires of those who are faithful children of God:

1. The desire to be lovers of God more than lovers of pleasure and the things of the world (Matt. 22:37; 2 Tim. 3:4; 1 Jn. 2:15-17).

2. The desire to honor and obey God even if it causes sacrifice and suffering (Phil. 3:7-16).

3. The desire to seek the kingdom or church and God's righteousness first, before, and above everything else (Matt. 6:33).

4. The desire to deny ourselves and carry our own cross daily (Matt. 16:24; Lk. 9:23).

5. The desire to see all things from God's eternal perspective (Matt. 6:19-21).

6. The desire to learn and profit from God's correction and discipline (Heb. 12:4-11).

7. The desire to focus on others more than on ourselves (Phil. 2:3-4).

8. The desire to come to the time when we can depart from this life and forever be with Christ (Phil. 1:21-16).

We conclude with one of God's greatest desires. For it is He "who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:4).