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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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