How to Please God

Dear Brethren,

Of all the questions we could ask ourselves, the most important one is: How can I please God?”  Is it even possible that we, who are so limited and miniscule in our capacity, could possibly have anything that God, who owns the vast universe and is all powerful, could possibly want or need of us?  The answer is that we have been called to be God’s children – not only now but especially, in His Kingdom and beyond throughout eternity.  When we do those things that are in conformity with His incredible plan to bring about His eternal family, we are then pleasing in His sight.

Of course, without Jesus Christ none of this would be possible.  He makes salvation possible.  That is the most important step in the great plan of God.  It should go without saying that our Father is pleased with His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  But God is faithful to say that He is pleased with His Son, so that we may be assured.  We are assured, not only that the Father is pleased with His own Son, but assured that we, too, can be pleasing to Him.

Peter, James, and John witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus and heard the Father say of Jesus, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.”  (Matthew 17:1-5)  This vision occurred after Jesus had said to the Jews, Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen his shape.”  (John 5:18, 37)  Later, Peter would again declare that the Father was well-pleased with Jesus.

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.  For He received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”  (2 Peter 1:16-17)

Paul would tell the Thessalonians, and by extension, tell us today, that we should also be pleasing to God.  Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”  (1 Thessalonians 4:1)

How do we go about pleasing God?  In order to please God, we must be going about our Father’s business – just as Jesus did from His youth.  We must diligently seek the spiritual intent of Christ’s teachings, principles and values – and be applying them in every thought and action of our everyday lives.  Paul explains:

Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints...,  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding ;  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.”  (Colossians 1:4, 9-12)

To do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”  (Hebrews 13:16)  Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:21)

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Sermon:  "How to Please God"    


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