What does God want for me?
As a completed Jew—someone who grew up in a Jewish household and now embraces Jesus as my Messiah—I’ve often been asked about what I think the differences are between the Old Testament and the New Testament. I have a “stock answer” for that question, however today’s sermon from Pastor Lance about Romans 12:2 took me on a different tangent (sorry Pastor, that sometimes happens) that I wrote it down in my bible: The Old Testament asks, “What does God want from me?” while the New Testament asks, “What does God want for me?”
This distinction really resonates with me. Growing up, the Hebrew Scriptures were a big part of my life. The Old Testament is full of laws, covenants, and instructions. I remember attending Hebrew School as a kid how much emphasis there was on doing what was right. Verses like “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2) framed my understanding of what God expected of me. It felt like God was saying, “This is what I need from you”—obedience, devotion, and a life that honored Him.
But even then, I knew there was more than just laws. The O.T. is full of stories showing that He wasn’t asking for perfection, but for relationship with his children. It was clear that God’s heart wasn’t just about rules but about drawing His people closer to Him.
When I came to know Jesus, how I saw God began morph into something different. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about what God wanted from me; it became about what He wanted for me. Jesus fulfilled everything the Old Testament pointed to. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He answered the demands of the law for me. That shift was important as I no longer felt the weight of striving to earn God’s favor. Instead, I was invited to receive His grace.
In John 10:10, Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” That’s what God wants for us—a life of abundance, not just in eternity but right now. And Romans 8:1-2 really drives it home for me: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” That freedom is something I’m still learning to fully embrace, but it’s such a gift.
For me, understanding this shift from “from me” to “for me” has changed everything. It’s taken me from feeling burdened to feeling blessed. It doesn’t mean the Old Testament is irrelevant—far from it. The foundation of God’s holiness and justice is still there. But through Jesus, I see how His love and grace complete the story.
This truth is something I hold onto every day. As a believer, I can celebrate that God doesn’t just desire things from us; He desires incredible things for us. He wants us to know Him, to walk in His grace, and to rest in the assurance that we are His children—fully loved and fully redeemed by his Grace.
