"4But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts." 1 Thessalonians 2:4 NKJV
The thought of pleasing God certainly sounds a lot better than displeasing Him, that's for sure. But we need to be aware of a few things. As a very young Christian I visited a certain Baptist church where a visiting preacher from abroad was ministering for the night. He had a good reputation and as I had nothing special to do, my wife and I went along. He went through a very long sermon but the main message was, 'Lord, have I please you today?'
This thought has stayed with me all those years and I have often thought long and hard about it. Here's what I have come up with. The thought of pleasing God is right, we love Him and serve Him so, it goes without saying that, we want to place Him. However, pulling the bones out of it, I came to the conclusion that God's approval cannot be earned. We just cannot earn smarty points and coloured stickers by trying to earn His approval. It doesn't work that way. We can though please Him with our efforts; it's a fine line one in which, we may find ourselves competing if we re not careful.
Stay with me on this, Ephesians 2:8-9 says:
'8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Bibleref.com gives an explanation of this:
In Paul writes: "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ."
The point that I am making here is, we cannot earn God's approval by doing things to please Him. He's pleased with us anyway otherwise we wouldn't be serving Him. But it is so easy to do your best for Him and expect a round of applause from Him or, if you've preached a sermon, a standing ovation from the crowd. It won't work so, don't try it. Just stay humble.
Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard.
If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.
In Jesus' Name. Amen'
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk
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