How to Please the Lord

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. (2 Corinthians 5:9)

In this verse, Paul tells us that his main ambition in life, was to be “pleasing to” (“accepted of”) the Lord Jesus Christ. Likewise, it should be our highest ambition as well – whatever we do and wherever we are, let us strive to please Him. This attitude will determine what we do and where we go!

The Scriptures give us a number of specific ways in which we can be confident of pleasing Him. For example: “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1). That is, our motive in everything we do should be to please Him – not ourselves. By the “strong” here he means those who are strong “in faith,” those whose minds are free from doubts and perplexities. Using your strength to lift up others from the slough of despondency is well pleasing to God. Similarly, we are warned that “they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). That is, our thoughts and deeds must not be dictated by what the world thinks. The world loves “its own,” not God. The world is forever trying to force you into its mold.

We also please God when we suffer, willingly, for His sake. “But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with
you “
(1 Peter 2:20).

Remember in your prayers Evangelical Pastor Saeed Abedini, who was recently  sentenced in Tehran by Judge Pir-Abassi, known as the “hanging judge,” to eight  years in prison for threatening the national security of Iran through his  leadership in Christian house churches. He will serve the time in Iran’s  notorious Evin Prison, known as one of the most brutal. His wife is also a beautiful Christian.

Without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). We must walk by faith if we would please the Lord.  We walk by faith when we act according to His word; when we do unto others as we would have others do unto us (Golden rule) when we wait for his Son from heaven etc…

God is pleased when we act like Good Samaritans.  Hebrews 13:16 puts it this way;   And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”   This would also include sharing the gospel, as well as sharing our material possessions. “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).

Finally, when our ways please the Lord, we have this gracious promise: “whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (1 John 3:22).

One day soon, your journey this side of eternity will be  completed;  you will have crossed your last valley, taken your last turn in life’s road, finished your  last mile, shed your last tear;  then you will hear those pleasant  words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” They will be the most pleasing words you will ever hear throughout eternity.

The Best Is Yet To Be!

Pastor Bryant