His Wants

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

2 Peter 3:9 

God does not desire for ANYONE to perish or to spend eternity separate from Him. He is so very patient and kind towards us. It is not God that chooses where we will spend eternity but our own selves. Take responsibility for your eternity right now. 

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment.

Matthew 22:36-38 

God does not force us into a relationship with him. You would not want to have someone force you into a friendship, would you? That would be a one-sided friendship because you are there out of force. God desires to have us love Him. To love Him is to obey his Word. Think about it this way, you have a friend that knows you are allergic to peanuts, and you have told them that it would cause a terrible allergic reaction. They continue to eat peanuts around you and even tell you that "It's okay that I eat these peanuts close to you, it is no big deal!" Would you say that is a friend that cares or loves you? In the same way we hurt God's heart when we sin and choose not to obey His Word or listen to the things He dislikes. He wants us to truly love and choose Him.

39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  

Matthew 22:38

We must love ourselves. God gives us commands such as guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23), do everything in love (1 Corinthians 16:14) and take care of your temple (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). We are God's handy work (Ephesians 2:10). The same way it pains you to see your friend, child or family member harming themselves, it is the same way God would hurt. He wants what is best for us (Jeremiah 29:11).

39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 22:39 

I remember asking why God why do you allow such terrible things like rape and murder to occur? He asked me "Why do I allow you to hurt people the way you do?" I was stunned, shocked and a little taken back. God gives us free will to make choices. Often times we hurt, abuse and misuse that free will to hurt others. How much better would the world be if we loved, not for our gain but for the benefit and well-being of others. We would all have much better lives. 

20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 

1 John 4:19-21 

God calls us to love Him and to love Him we must love ourselves and others.