Do We Follow God Out of Need or Love?

March 19, 2026

In this episode, Pastor Mike answers a thoughtful question: Should we need God or want God? The biblical answer is both, but they are not the same thing.

Every human being needs God—believer or atheist alike—because God gives life, breath, intelligence, and holds all things together. Without Him, we could not exist for even a moment. Recognizing this need leads to humility and gratitude.

But Christianity does not stop at need. The believer grows into wanting God—desiring to know Him, understand His ways, love His character, and walk closely with Him. Wanting God flows out of recognizing our dependence on Him and leads to worship, thanksgiving, and transformation.

This discussion helps clarify the difference between dependence and desire, and why both are essential in a healthy, biblical relationship with God.

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Where and what was Jesus doing before the incarnation? Are there hints of Christ in the Old Testament? Yes! There was magnificent preparation and planning, which foreshadowed the incarnation that only a sovereign God could accomplish.

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Featured Offer

Did Jesus Exist Before Bethlehem?

Be sure to request the book The Unfolding Mystery by Edmund Clowney and discover Christ in the Old Testament.

Request Yours More resources

About Ask Pastor Mike Live

Join us each Friday as Pastor Mike tackles hard-hitting questions Christians face in the modern world. Arm yourself for your next challenging conversation by getting relevant, biblical answers on hot topics of the day.

About Focal Point Ministries

Dr. Mike Fabarez is the founding pastor of Compass Bible Church and the president of Compass Bible Institute, both located in Aliso Viejo, California. Pastor Mike is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Talbot School of Theology and Westminster Theological Seminary in California. Mike is heard on hundreds of stations on the Focal Point radio program and is committed to clearly communicating God’s word verse-by-verse, encouraging his listeners to apply what they have learned to their daily lives. He has authored several books, including 10 Mistakes People Make About Heaven, Hell, and the Afterlife, Raising Men Not Boys, Lifelines for Tough Times, and Preaching that Changes Lives. Mike and his wife Carlynn are parents of three grown children, two sons and one daughter, and have four young grandchildren.

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