Well Pleasing – Part 2
To be well pleasing to God means to be fully acceptable and entirely satisfying to Him. Can we do this? Some of our religious friends say, “One cannot do this.” They cite Romans 8:8, “So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” John Calvin interpreted this verse as meaning that no person could come to any knowledge about God without God’s direct intervention. He said that it took a work of the Holy Spirit to inspire that person with knowledge. But wouldn’t that just be God pleasing Himself? How could an individual say he could please God without the Holy Spirit doing the work? This seems to contradict Hebrews 11:5-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, and Colossians 1:10. These verses make it clear that a person may please God. So, how does one do it?
We must approach God by faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” How can we get faith? Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” There’s the key! We must study and learn the word of God. It is when we know God’s word that we can apply it to our lives and be well pleasing to Him. Consider Psalm 119:11, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Putting God’s word into our heart means that the Holy Spirit can speak to us (He speaks through His word). When He speaks to us, that gives us direction. When we know these things, we will then be able to please God by learning and exercising the appropriate behaviors in our lives.
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley