SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1168

“Pleasing God”

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. And without faith it is impossible to please him…. – Romans 8:8 – Hebrews 11:6

I recall as a child doing things to please my father. I dreaded the occasional ‘Archie Bunker’ type of rebukes being called a ‘meathead’ and I relished the ‘good job’ praises from my Dad.

I am reminded of this relationship aspect with my father when I read about God the Father stating how pleased He is with Jesus.

…and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:17

The questions we need to ask ourselves are: Do we desire to please God in every aspect of our lives and if so, how do we please Him? Our reference Scriptures teach us that to please God we must have faith in Jesus and be born-again by the Spirit of God (i.e.: not in the flesh).

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh…. – John 3:3 – Galatians 5:16-18

The faith we need to please God and His Holy Spirit are both His gifts to us so that no one can boast of their ‘righteousness’.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever – Romans 10:17 – Ephesians 2:8 – John 14:16

Jesus is our perfect example of how to live a life pleasing to God. He walked continually in the power and presence of the 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

This power for living a life pleasing to God is available to each of us who are born-again and have the abiding presence of Christ in us.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. – Galatians 2:20 – Philippians 2:13

A life pleasing to God is a Spirit filled life characterized by the indwelling, abiding presence of Jesus Christ in your heart. God works in you and through you for His pleasure and for your good.

…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; – Colossians 1:10