God wants, but does not need, a relationship with mankind

Love chooses to give the best it can to another, without regard for its own pleasure or benefit.  God is love (1 John 4:8).  He, by nature, seeks our benefit without looking for or needing anything from us.

Both the Old and New Testaments state that God needs nothing from man.  An example from the Old Testament:

I don’t rebuke you for your sacrifices.
    Your burnt offerings are continually before me.
I have no need for a bull from your stall,
    nor male goats from your pens.
10 For every animal of the forest is mine,
    and the livestock on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the mountains.
    The wild animals of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
    for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls,
    or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving.
    Pay your vows to the Most High.
15 Call on me in the day of trouble.
    I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”  Psalm 50:8-15 WEB

An example from the New Testament:

25 neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things.  Acts 17:25 WEB

It is important to know that He wants us rather than needs us because it makes the nature of the relationship even clearer – He chose us because He wants to be with us.

God is good (Psalm 119:68).  He does good things for us not because He needs to, but because He wants to.  He wants a relationship with each of us, to be good to us for our benefit.

Keywords: God, love, want, need

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