Why Follow God?
8 August 2025*This article is part of “Dialogues,” where real questions from people are answered by AI and then reviewed by theologians for clarity, accuracy, and faithfulness to Christian teaching.
Question
“Why is it worth following God, and why does God want us to follow Him?”
Answer
This is one of the most important questions any person can ask. The Bible’s answer is not just a list of rules or promises. It is a deep, personal invitation from the Creator Himself. Following God is worth it because He is the source of life, love, purpose, and eternal hope. God wants us to follow Him because He loves us and desires us to live in a restored relationship with Him, both now and forever.
1. God Created Us for Relationship
From the very beginning, in the Garden of Eden, we see that God designed humanity to walk with Him in close fellowship (Genesis 3:8). We were not made to drift aimlessly through life or to live only for ourselves. Our hearts naturally long for connection, meaning, and belonging, and that deepest longing is satisfied in knowing God.
When Jesus says in Matthew 28:20, “Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you”, He is not just giving an order. He is inviting us into a way of life that aligns with the way we were created to live, lives marked by love, truth, and purpose.
2. Following God Gives True Purpose
Many people search for purpose in career, possessions, relationships, or personal achievements. While these things can be good, they are temporary and can’t ultimately satisfy the soul. God, however, offers us a purpose that is bigger than ourselves: to know Him, to reflect His character, and to join His mission in the world.
Ephesians 2:10 says: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This means that your life is not an accident. You have been crafted with intention, for specific works that carry eternal significance.
3. God Wants Our Good, Not Our Harm
Some imagine God as a distant ruler, laying down rules to control people. But Scripture reveals the opposite: His commands are given for our protection and flourishing. Jeremiah 29:11 records God’s words: “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Following God means walking in His wisdom, avoiding destructive paths, and experiencing the peace that comes from aligning with His design.
4. God’s Love is Unconditional, but His Plan Transforms Us
God doesn’t wait for us to be perfect before calling us to follow Him. In fact, Romans 5:8 says: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This love is not passive. It changes us. When we follow Him, His Spirit works in us to produce the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22–23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
5. Following God Leads to Eternal Life
Jesus makes it clear in John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The greatest reason to follow God is not only for blessings in this life, but because He offers eternal life in His presence. This is not an abstract reward; it’s the continuation of the relationship that begins here and now.
6. Why God Wants Us to Follow Him
God’s desire is not rooted in ego or control. He is all-sufficient and does not need us in order to be complete. Instead, His call for us to follow Him comes from perfect love.
- Because He loves us: Like a parent guiding a child away from danger, God calls us to Himself for our safety and joy.
- Because He has a mission: God is redeeming the world, and He invites us to join in that work through love, service, and sharing the gospel.
7. The Cost and the Reward
Following God does involve surrender. Jesus Himself said in Luke 9:23: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” This means letting go of selfish ambitions and trusting God’s will over our own. But the reward far outweighs the cost: peace that the world cannot give, joy that circumstances cannot destroy, and hope that death cannot take away.
Conclusion
Following God is worth it because He is the source of life, truth, and love. He knows you personally, has a plan for your life, and offers eternal life in His presence. God wants you to follow Him because He desires relationship, restoration, and your ultimate good.
Choosing to follow Him is not just about obeying commands. It’s about stepping into the very reason you were created. In His presence, you find identity, in His Word, you find truth, and in His will, you find purpose. And as you walk with Him, you’ll discover that this journey is not only for your benefit, but for the blessing of others and the glory of God.