Serving God withoutconditions

GREETINGS, beloved nation, in the name of Jesus Christ. Our scripture for today is from Job 1:9-11: “So Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!’”
Our worship of God must be rooted in a genuine and intimate relationship. Unfortunately, worship has often been reduced to seeking material blessings from God.
While there is nothing wrong with asking for what we need— as the Bible says, “ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened to you” — we often place material things above our relationship with God.
I want to clarify that I am not promoting poverty or lack, as such states can be demonic. However, many Christians measure their spirituality by their possessions. If you don’t drive a nice car, own a house or are not married, you may be perceived as lacking in prayer or spiritual favour. We forget that God is a lifter of men.
We have witnessed many individuals basing their spirituality on material acquisitions. Some have even backslidden when they fail to accumulate wealth, marriage, or property, believing that God has turned His back on them.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus instructs us: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Here, Jesus emphasises that these “things” are secondary and will be added as we focus on seeking God’s righteousness.
The story of Job illustrates this well. Satan questioned Job’s faithfulness, suggesting that he only worshipped God because of the blessings he received.
Essentially, Satan accused Job of loving God for the gifts he had — not for the relationship itself. Sadly, many Christians today approach God with a similar mindset, seeking fulfilment based on material blessings.
But God calls us to a higher level of love and maturity, where our devotion to Him is unconditional.
We should love Him whether we are blessed or facing adversity. It’s alarming to note that many believers’ prayers revolve around personal requests, lacking expressions of gratitude or love towards God. A staggering 90% of our prayers may focus on “God, do this for me; if not, I will stop praying.”
Our spiritual walk should not be contingent on receiving things. True faith involves loving God without conditions.
Consider the example of Apostles Paul and Silas. After delivering a woman from a spirit of divination, they were beaten and imprisoned. Yet, even in their suffering — “with their backs dripping blood” — they chose to worship. How many of us can praise God consistently after experiencing loss, betrayal or demotion?
In Acts 5, we learn about the Apostles who were arrested for preaching the gospel. Miraculously freed from prison by an angel, they were soon found preaching again, despite being beaten and warned not to speak about Jesus.
Acts 5:40-41 shares: “And to him they agreed; and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”
Imagine escaping from prison only to be arrested and beaten again. Yet, they rejoiced at the opportunity to suffer for Christ. Unfortunately, many in the church are reluctant to embrace suffering for their faith, often prioritising comfort over commitment.
When we read Genesis 47:8-9, Jacob the man who wrestled with God and is mentioned in the God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob says, “And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou? 9 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.”
Even a servant of God like Jacob endured hardship yet remained faithful.
I encourage those facing struggles — to know that you have not been forsaken. Continue praising God despite what others might say; the glory of God is about to be revealed in your life. Trials, rejection, and lack are part of the journey. Rather than indicating sin, they reflect opportunities for your faith to grow.
Remember, Jesus endured suffering so that we might be rich in faith. Embrace the process of spiritual growth — it will enable you to declare your love for God, regardless of your circumstances.
The church often exhibits a transactional mentality, worshipping God for His blessings rather than for who He is. Figures like David, Abraham, and Moses experienced God’s faithfulness amid trials. Let us strive to know the heart of God and pursue a deeper relationship with Him.
I invite you to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour. Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that He is your Lord and Saviour, and you shall be saved. May God bless you all. Amen.

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