Discovering favor with God is a journey marked by faith, grace, and transformation. If you’re seeking to deepen your relationship with God and experience His favor in your life, here are seven principles rooted in God’s Word.
1. Embrace Jesus as Savior: The first step in finding favor with God is to embrace Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Recognize Him as the Son of God who came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for your sins, and rose again from the dead. Through faith in Jesus, you receive forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God, paving the way for a restored relationship with Him.
- John 14:6 (NIV) – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.“
- Acts 4:12 (NIV) – “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
2. Surrender to God’s Will: Surrendering to God’s will is essential for experiencing His favor. Follow Jesus’ example in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prayed, “Not My will, but Yours be done.” Submit your plans, desires, and ambitions to God, trusting His sovereignty and wisdom. As you align your life with God’s purposes, you’ll discover His favor leading you along the path He has set out for you.
- Matthew 26:39 (NIV) – “Going a little farther, He fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.'”
- Romans 12:2 (NIV) – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
3. Walk in Obedience: Obedience to God’s commands is a hallmark of discipleship. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep my commands.” Follow His teachings with a sincere heart, striving to live a life that honors God in all you do. Seek to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. As you walk in obedience, you’ll experience the blessings and favor of God overflowing in your life.
- John 14:15 (NIV) – “If you love Me, keep my commands.”
- 1 John 2:3-4 (NIV) – “We know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commands. Whoever says, ‘I know Him,’ but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.”
4. Cling to God’s Word: The Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Dive deep into the Scriptures, studying and meditating on God’s truth revealed through Jesus Christ. Let His words dwell richly in your heart, guiding your thoughts, words, and actions. As you immerse yourself in the Word, you’ll gain wisdom, strength, and discernment to navigate life’s challenges and experience God’s favor.
- Psalm 119:105 (NIV) – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
- Joshua 1:8 (NIV) – “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
5. Cultivate a Spirit of Worship: Worship is the natural response of a grateful heart to the goodness and majesty of God. Lift up your praises to God, acknowledging His greatness, faithfulness, and love. Worship Him in spirit and in truth, offering your whole self as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God. As you cultivate a spirit of worship, you’ll draw near to God’s presence and encounter His favor in profound ways.
- John 4:23-24 (NIV) – “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
- Psalm 100:2-4 (NIV) – “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.”
6. Serve Others in Love: Jesus taught that whoever wants to be great must become a servant of all. Follow His example of humility and servanthood, seeking opportunities to serve others in love. Whether through acts of kindness, compassion, or generosity, let your life reflect the selfless love of Christ. As you serve others with a Christ-like attitude, you’ll find favor with God and fulfill His purpose for your life.
- Mark 10:45 (NIV) – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
- Galatians 5:13 (NIV) – “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
7. Persist in Prayer: Prayer is the lifeline of the believer, connecting us to the heart of God. Follow Jesus’ example of fervent and persistent prayer, seeking God’s will and provision in all things. Pour out your heart to God with faith and expectancy, knowing that He hears your prayers and delights in answering according to His perfect plan. As you persist in prayer, as you ‘Pray and Obey’, you’ll experience the favor of God manifesting in miraculous ways.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) – “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) – “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Finding favor with God is a journey of faith, obedience, and intimacy. By embracing Jesus as Savior, surrendering to God’s will, walking in obedience, finding life through His Word, cultivating a spirit of worship, serving others in love, and persisting in prayer, you’ll discover the abundant blessings and favor that flow from a life surrendered to God. May these seven spiritual principles guide you deeper into the heart of God and the fullness of His favor in your life.
