I attempted to post a Monday Devotions thought yesterday, but never quite got to it. However, I had a great time on my day off doing errands with my two youngest daughters and going out on a date with my wife.
I’m currently immersing myself in preparation for the WorshipGod06 conference, which starts tomorrow. In the midst of planning and praying, I have a deep desire that everything that takes place over the next few days bring pleasure to God.
The fact that we can please God is a never ending source of amazement to me. Of course, when it comes to justification, nothing we do can please God sufficiently for him to accept us. But as his children, forgiven and reconciled through the atoning sacrifice of his Son, we can actually bring God pleasure through our grace-motivated, faith-empowered acts of obedience. Here are some Scriptures that fill out the picture.
Those outside of Christ cannot ultimately please God.
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Rom. 8:8)
Jesus never failed at any moment to please his Father.
And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him. (John 8:29)
Faith in God and his provision for us is the necessary foundation for those who want to please God.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Heb. 11:6)
More often than we think, seeking to please people and seeking to please God are in direct opposition to one another.
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. (Gal. 1:10)
God is the one who enables us to please him.
For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13)
Paul prayed, and God desires, that we be fully pleasing to the Lord.
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, 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. (Col. 1:9-10)
We are continually grow in our desire to please God.
Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. (1Th. 4:1)
Everything in us that pleases God is made so through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20-21)
Are you aware of the possibility of pleasing or displeasing God through your thoughts, words, and actions today? Do you know that God has provided all the resources we need to live a life that pleases him through the merits of the Savior? Are you encouraged by the fact that we, along with all things, exist for the sole purpose of bringing God pleasure?
In the words made famous by Nike – just do it. Please God, that is. By his grace and for his glory.
Bob,
My heart was really ministered to by your serving us with your blog today on pleasing God. What really struck me was not so much the topic you wrote on, although it was very uplifting, but the servant heart of Jesus that was evident in your doing this for our sanctification in the midst of your very busy schedule this week. I sense the aroma of Christ in this. Thank you.
I just wanted to encourage you with that my brother.
Grace & Peace
Ian,
You are a kind man. Very much looking forward to meeting you at the conference.
Bob