SEPTEMBER 19

WELL PLEASING UNTO GOD

“He that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.” (John 8:28)

Paul adds to this when he writes, “not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth the hearts.” (1 Thess. 2:4). While we would not bow to, nor cater to the fleshly impulses of men, there are other aspects to consider. He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20). So then, “we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for good to edification. For even Christ pleased not Himself.” (Rom. 15:1-3).

Thus the negative and the positive become BALANCED again. For while we are not to become “man pleasers” in the sense that we compromise the call of God to satisfy the call of men, nevertheless, neither can we truly say we love God and please Him, if we do not love our brethren, and sacrifice ourselves to please them.

Consider how we might become well pleasing unto God. “Now without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6). Beyond all the peripheral things, faith for daily bread, faith for a safe trip, faith for good health, etc., we must zero in on that vital, essential fact of believing that GOD IS GOD. That He does exist, and that there are no other gods beside Him; and then believe that He is a rewarder of them diligently seek Him. Such faith is pleasing to our God!

“Let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably (well pleasing) with reverence and godly fear (modesty). (Heb. 12:28). We are not serving “things,” nor “men” according to their lusts of the flesh. We freely and joyfully give our lives totally unto our Lord.

Well pleasing unto God –
Seeking to follow in His way,
His will alone to rule our day.

Ray Prinzing