Pleasing God
Each of us as children of God wish to please the Lord. Although we cannot earn God’s love by our works and behavior, our hearts still long to bring joy to Him.
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (New Living Translation, NLT)
Faith is how we can please our Heavenly Father. We must believe in Him and trust Him, knowing that it makes Him happy when His children believe Him. What earthly father is not pleased when his children take him at his word? Our heavenly Father is also pleased when we believe what He tells us. Simple, childlike faith is how we can please God. Often, when I am in a serious situation, I’ll remember this and whisper to Him, “Lord, I trust you.” And, somehow, I know that He’s beaming with joy at that moment. He just wants our trust.
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:12-17 (New Living Translation, NLT)
I also believe that God is pleased when we act like Him. According to I John 4:8, God is love. Therefore, when we love one another, we are acting like our Father. How precious is it when small children mimic their earthly fathers? It is also precious when we mimic God by walking in love. Jesus spoke love and forgiveness over the very people crucifying Him. We, too, can be loving to others, even if they aren’t very lovable. Love is how people know we belong to Christ.
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35 (New Living Translation, NLT)
Faith is how we please God, and faith works by love (Galatians 5:6). Therefore, through faith and love, we can be sure to bring pleasure to the Lord.
