I have been thinking, musing if you will, about how to live in the balance of what it means to "Please God" and how it intersects, or doesn't intersect, with pleasing others. As a Christian I want my life to be ordered around doing things that will please God. After all, it's scripture itself that reminds us of the necessity of ordering our private and public worlds to be lived in such a way that God is pleased with our lives.
For example, Paul in writing to the Corinthians sums up the goal of our lives in a simple sentence.
2 Corinthians 5:9
So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
Later as he writes to the Galatians, he reminds them that there is no other Gospel other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is by grace through faith. In defense of that Gospel, he writes:
Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
It is in these contrasting passages that we come up against the fundamental problem - we cannot always please God if we are trying to please others. Still we must be careful because too many Christians withdraw from contact with non-Christians probably out of either intimidation, or lack of confidence in how to live. Thus Paul reminds us in Ephesians....
Ephesians 5:1-2
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
This is how he begins this section that ends with his admonition to not get drunk on wine, but instead be filled with the Holy Spirit. In a very concise way he makes it clear that the issue of our life lived in and around others isn't going to be easy, but it doesn't mean we have an excuse for not living to do God's will.
Ephesians 5:8-10
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
He says the same thing to the Colossian Christians as he writes to them:
Colossians 1:9-10
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
That which is most pleasing to God is fairly clear: Our relationship with Jesus Christ as our Lord is our number one priority for living. It is the Gospel and our faith in Christ through it that keeps us centered on life that pleases God.
1 Thessalonians 2:4
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
And he adds: 1 Thessalonians 4:1
Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
It seems rather clear: an Undivided heart is fixed on Serving Jesus Christ, but in that process, one becomes a servant in His Kingdom to those who need to know him. We "Do Good", not to get the praise of others, nor to win the admiration of others; but rather to do that which is Pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:15-16
15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Perhaps you've thought about this, and perhaps you have not. What would it look like for any of us to live our lives in such a way that we made serving Christ in order to please him our #1 Priority every day of our life? Think about it...or as I say, "Muse" on it.
Peace
For example, Paul in writing to the Corinthians sums up the goal of our lives in a simple sentence.
2 Corinthians 5:9
So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
Later as he writes to the Galatians, he reminds them that there is no other Gospel other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is by grace through faith. In defense of that Gospel, he writes:
Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
It is in these contrasting passages that we come up against the fundamental problem - we cannot always please God if we are trying to please others. Still we must be careful because too many Christians withdraw from contact with non-Christians probably out of either intimidation, or lack of confidence in how to live. Thus Paul reminds us in Ephesians....
Ephesians 5:1-2
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
This is how he begins this section that ends with his admonition to not get drunk on wine, but instead be filled with the Holy Spirit. In a very concise way he makes it clear that the issue of our life lived in and around others isn't going to be easy, but it doesn't mean we have an excuse for not living to do God's will.
Ephesians 5:8-10
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
He says the same thing to the Colossian Christians as he writes to them:
Colossians 1:9-10
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
That which is most pleasing to God is fairly clear: Our relationship with Jesus Christ as our Lord is our number one priority for living. It is the Gospel and our faith in Christ through it that keeps us centered on life that pleases God.
1 Thessalonians 2:4
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
And he adds: 1 Thessalonians 4:1
Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
It seems rather clear: an Undivided heart is fixed on Serving Jesus Christ, but in that process, one becomes a servant in His Kingdom to those who need to know him. We "Do Good", not to get the praise of others, nor to win the admiration of others; but rather to do that which is Pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:15-16
15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Perhaps you've thought about this, and perhaps you have not. What would it look like for any of us to live our lives in such a way that we made serving Christ in order to please him our #1 Priority every day of our life? Think about it...or as I say, "Muse" on it.
Peace
Comments