30 November 2025

Living a life pleasing to god

(Biblical Teachings on The Christian Life.: BTCL 10)

The words of Paul are very challenging: “So we make it our goal to please Him (God), whether we are at home in the body or away from it” (2 Cor.5:9-NIV). Notice the decision we should make: “So we make it our goal to please Him” whether we live or die. That is the key motive in life as followers and servants of Christ. We live not to please ourselves, or anybody else, including our spouses, families or Church – but only the Lord!

The reason is given in the next verse: “For we must all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (v.10). The word “we” implies that all Christians will have to face the Lord Jesus to give an account of our lives and what we have done in this world to Him; for He has been appointed Judge by the Father. John 5:27: “And (the Father) has given Him (Christ) authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man”. Today Jesus is our Savior but tomorrow He will be our Judge; so, let us live to please Him.

How do we live to please the Lord?
1. We must acknowledge Jesus as God and Lord, because that is what and who He is. Thomas met Jesus after His resurrection and he said to Jesus: “My Lord and My God!” (Jn 20:28). When we acknowledge Jesus as Lord we will be saved and it glorifies the Father (Rom.10:9; Phil.2:9-11).
2. We must obey His commands. Whatever He tells us in His Word and by His Spirit we need to obey. In obedience we fulfill His will and that delights Him. We show that we truly love Him when we obey His commands (John 14:15, 21).
3. We must live a holy life as He commands us “He who called you is holy; you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Pet.1:15-16). The Bible also says, “Without holiness no one shall see the Lord” (Heb.12:14).
4. We must be His faithful witness and preach the Gospel so that all may know of His love and salvation. God’s desire is that everyone comes to know Jesus. God is pleased when we seek to fulfill His desire for the world. Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea (where you are), in Samaria (your neighbours) and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
5. We must love and serve one another with agape love, “because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God…” (Rom.14:18-NIV). There are many more ways we can please the Lord in our life and what we seek to do. Suffice to say, however, if we begin to do what has been suggested above, we will surely be pleasing to Him and will delight His heart. The Bible also instructs to do everything to the Glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). May God help us to do so. AMEN

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