I would still like someone holding to a particular concept of God, to tell me what they consider is required by that God and why.
Hmm.
If you truly want to know what God requires of you, then you should ask Him. And keep asking. Put enough faith in that, and you might even hear His answer.I do understand that this can be kind of hard to do, though, sans faith. So I'll try and answer your question as best as I understand it.
The work of God is to listen to and believe in His Son. Christ is the mediator between man and God; the Truth and the Life. Listening to Him is the same as listening to God. Christ taught and showed us how to live: showing mercy, love, forgiveness to one another. Not to judge, etc, etc. I assume you already know these.
I understand that some cannot believe - some for lack of (mostly scientific) proof, and some because of the falsehoods told about him, and the contradictions/hypocricy in His so-called followers.
So while some might not be able to believe in the man (much less in the Christ), what about the things He taught? Do you have and show love, mercy, forgiveness? Do you not judge others? If you have all the attributes that Christ asked of us, then are you not listening? Perhaps you are one of those people Paul spoke about, one who has the 'law' written on your heart.
Some who did what Christ taught, while being unsure about Christ himself, can still be known BY Christ. Likewise, some who believe in Christ, yet don't do anything he taught, might not be known BY Christ.
Matthew 7:21 - "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."
Also read Matthew 25: 31-45. Its the sheep and the goats parable. Christ knew those out of the nations who did good to even the least of his brothers - even though these people out of the nations did not know they had done anything for him. They just WERE those kind of people: loving enough to feed the hungry, cloth the poor, etc, etc. On the other hand, out of the nations, there were also many (goats) who denied this help and kindness to 'the least of these'. Christ sent them away, denying them entrance into the kingdom.
These were people from the nations who did good (or not) to his brothers. So I don't see how He could be speaking about fellow 'christians' here. Not only that, but this understanding follows love and justice and mercy as well. So it... makes a lot more sense in regard to the spirit of Christ and God - love and mercy and forgiveness.
So to sum: there are his brothers (and sisters). Those who are one with him, who know him and are known by him. And then there are the people out of the nations who do the things the 'law' (of love) requires. Those are also known by Christ. So while you might be unable to believe in Christ, or God... you might still be known by HIM, in accordance to the 'spirit' of you. The 'heart' of you.
Peace,
Tammy