Well Pleasing – Part 3
We could not be well pleasing to God without the work of Jesus Christ. Jesus was absolutely well pleasing to the Father (Matthew 3:17, 12:18, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22, 2 Peter 1:17). It was His sinless sacrifice that gave Him the authority (Matthew 28:18), to set the terms of pardon for man’s sins. Therefore, the word of Christ must be followed and obeyed by everyone (Matthew 28:19-20). These words will judge us one day (John 12:48). It is Jesus Christ that makes it possible for us to be well pleasing to God. In light of this, we want everyone to be well pleasing to Him.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear 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. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences” (2 Corinthians 5:9-11). Paul’s logic is clear. It is our aim to be well pleasing. Why? Because judgment is coming. So, we persuade people to obey the gospel. This makes us and them well pleasing to God.
Have you obeyed the gospel? Those who have not are lost. They are not well pleasing to God. They are in a state of condemnation. To obey the gospel, one must hear the word of God (Romans 10:17), believe it (Hebrews 11:6), repent of sins (Acts 27:30), confess Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10), and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Become a child of God today and be pleasing to Him!
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley