03/26/2021
As children of God, and followers of Christ, we know that we are to believe in them. We are also meant to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, obey his commandments, follow the teachings of Jesus, bring glory to God in all we do, and be faithful, but aside from these very detailed requirements in scripture, are there any other ways that we can bring pleasure to God? The answer is yes, and scripture has much to say on this subject.
“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.”
2 Corinthians 5:9 ESV
We give a great deal of thought to obeying God’s commandments, and being obedient to His will, but if we truly love Him then we need to realize that there is much more to our relationship than obedience and discipline. If we were to count the number of sermons we have heard during the years that we have been believers which actually dealt with pleasing, rather than obeying Him, we could probably count them on one hand... if there were any preached to us at all. It is to our detriment that we read right over the scriptures that mention pleasing God because we view pleasing as being synonymous with obeying Him, when in truth it is much more than that. We aren’t simply meant to walk in His ways, but to do this very different thing... to please Him.
“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.”
1 Thessalonians 4:1 ESV
if we listen to Jesus It was His desire to always please God, and likewise it should be ours. Pleasing our Heavenly Father is not some nice thing we do, it is the fruit of our love for Him, and demonstrates just how much we put Him above ourselves, and it makes Him want to be with us all the more.
“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 ESV
In our marriages we know that we are to obey the covenant we have made with our spouse. We are meant to be faithful, to help one another, to love, and to submit ourselves unto to each other, but if following the contract is all we do then it is a sad marriage indeed. Love is more than fondness, or doing what is expected of us, no, there is much much more, and it involves pleasing without being asked, or doing those things that bring joy to our partner even if it isn’t what we would like to do... it can mean humbling ourselves, or personal sacrifice, simply to please our spouse.
I have a son who is married to a very gentle and cultured wife. If you were to think of the most genteel woman you know then my daughter in law is her equal, if not more kind, and feminine, than this. Now ask yourself if this woman you know would go survival camping, fly fishing in the Rockies, run wilderness trails, or attend rugby matches with her husband... probably not? Well these are all things that would by nature be distasteful to my son’s wife, but she does them to be with him, and to please him. These things are examples of the fruit that comes from loving.
My son on the other hand is a rough and tough guy who rises before dawn to run long distances with his dog before going to work. He goes wilderness camping, runs miles across mountaintops in extreme conditions through two feet of snow, stitches up his own wounds without anesthesia, and.. well you get the picture. These are the things he calls fun, but he will go to cultured events like symphony concerts with his wife, and attend classy parties where he might not be comfortable, and he listens as she plays classical music on her piano, but he does these things that are outside his comfort zone because they please his wife... he wants to bring her pleasure because he loves her.
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Hebrews 13:16 ESV
This is just one example of the fruit of love between one man and woman, but in our faith, and love for God, there is fruit as well, and it is greater than anything we can imagine. God sacrificed His only begotten Son for us, and we praise him in the midst of storms, these are actions that were not included in any contract with God... do you get the picture? Do you understand the difference between obeying covenants and commandments, and doing those things that aren’t covered by any legal jargon, but simply because of the immensity of our love?
“for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”
Ephesians 5:8-10 ESV
So we should look about us in our marriages for ways we can show our love for one another that are unexpected, or meant to bring pleasure to our mate, but even more, as we go through our days we need to do everything we can to bring pleasure to God. We need to go beyond what the contract of faith and the covenant of marriage requires of us, and give exceedingly of ourselves.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus who teaches us what lies beyond obedience to you, and how they bring you pleasure by our doing these things; doing what we are not required to do, but those things that are acts of love which show how deep our love, and faith, is for you. We thank you Father for all the blessings you give us each day that spring forth from the love you feel for us. You didn’t have to make provision for our sinfulness, and yet you sent Jesus, your only Son, to die for us... that we might be cleansed by His blood. This wasn’t a contract you made with Adam, but the fruit of your love for us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves us more than covenant, or promise. Great are you whose love knows no bounds, and who is with us always... even in those places you find distasteful. Merciful are you Lord for forgiving our sins, and transgressions. Magnificent are you as your grace covers us, and flows with the blood of Christ to redeem us. Hear our prayers Father, and know our love for you by the fruit that we offer... especially the fruit that we give as a gift, and that is not covered by law, covenant, commandment, or offered from the bounty of our personal comfort. Help us Gracious Lord as we stand in the midst of horrific storms and give you praise... in these times our offering of praise is a love offering, and we ask for your help, not because you must give it, but because you love us, just as we love you in these moments. So from our sins you have redeemed us with the blood of Christ, and by grace, through Him, we are found just, and righteous in your eyes. Lift us up to share eternity with you, and we will worship, praise, and love you there forevermore.
“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; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”
Colossians 1:9-12 ESV
Rich Forbes