In this world, there would be constant tension between choosing to please God or please others. Many people in the Bible, pleased others and failed to please God. Adam wanted to be polite, nice, and please Eve, so that he ate the forbidden fruit given by her. (Genesis 3:6) Solomon loved several foreign women, in order to please them, he built shrines for their gods. (I Kings 11:4) Pilate by condemning Lord Jesus to crucifixion to please the crowd. (Matthew 27:17) There are preachers who choose not to teach sound teaching, but please the whims and fancies of people. (II Timothy 4:3) Instead, disciples should joyfully please God.
1) Faith: God is pleased when a person exercises his/her faith in God. (Hebrews 11:6) Trusting God means to know Him, His attributes of love, grace, righteousness, wisdom, and others. Christian life begins with faith and continues with faith. Paul asserts that disciples do not walk by sight but by faith. (II Corinthians 5:7)
2) Living Sacrifice: God expects believers to offer themselves as living sacrifice, which is true worship. (Romans 12:1) Loving the Lord with all heart, soul and mind, results in obeying Him and pleasing Him. (Matthew 22:37,38)
3) Doing Good: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16) Doing good and sharing with those who are underprivileged are considered as sacrifices that pleases God. Graciousness and generosity is an expression of Christian faith.
4) Doing God’s will: In the world, disciples ought to make choices by the renewal of mind and rejecting worldly trends and worldview. (Romans 12:2) Discerning God’s will is a spiritual exercise, based on knowing God, His desires and His Word.
5) Spirit or Flesh: Those who are not sensitive and obedient to the Spirit of God, live according to flesh. Such people could not please God. (Romans 8:8) Those who listen to desires of the body or directions of emotions could not please God. Instead, the body should be disciplined and be under control. (I Corinthians 9:27)
Do I earnestly please God?