Pleasing
A broom as a gift to a woman. A high heel for a man. A Math exercise book to
make a child happy. Is there any chance that could work?
Maybe, if our intention is to “annoy” or even to “make angry”. But if we actually want to please someone, these gifts are not right. Probabilities of pleasing someone with them are almost zero.
However, at many times something similar happens when we think we are pleasing God. We offer him an occasional visit to His house, a package filled with excuses for what goes wrong, some pennies for a noble cause. “I don’t kill and don’t steal” is enough to demonstrate our integrity and “I pay all my bills” works as evidence that everything is going well in our lives. Just to mention a few examples.
No, it is not that easy to please God. Actually, by our own might, that would be impossible.
Thankfully, God was pleased with us first. Jesus Christ came to sweep away the condemnation, paying the debt on His cross. In his Book of books, we come to know this story of love that brings to our hearts, by faith, the assurance of his tender care. For Him it is always a pleasure to forgive repentant hearts, guide believing feet, instruct renewed lives. So that, as a reflex and result of this pleasing he alone could perform, we may begin to please him with actions, either big or small and with causes, either noble or new.
When we pay attention to what God is pleased to tell us in Christ, we all, women, men and children, quickly learn what is truly pleasing to Him.
Maybe, if our intention is to “annoy” or even to “make angry”. But if we actually want to please someone, these gifts are not right. Probabilities of pleasing someone with them are almost zero.
However, at many times something similar happens when we think we are pleasing God. We offer him an occasional visit to His house, a package filled with excuses for what goes wrong, some pennies for a noble cause. “I don’t kill and don’t steal” is enough to demonstrate our integrity and “I pay all my bills” works as evidence that everything is going well in our lives. Just to mention a few examples.
No, it is not that easy to please God. Actually, by our own might, that would be impossible.
Thankfully, God was pleased with us first. Jesus Christ came to sweep away the condemnation, paying the debt on His cross. In his Book of books, we come to know this story of love that brings to our hearts, by faith, the assurance of his tender care. For Him it is always a pleasure to forgive repentant hearts, guide believing feet, instruct renewed lives. So that, as a reflex and result of this pleasing he alone could perform, we may begin to please him with actions, either big or small and with causes, either noble or new.
When we pay attention to what God is pleased to tell us in Christ, we all, women, men and children, quickly learn what is truly pleasing to Him.
Rev.
Lucas André Albrecht
Chaplain at Ulbra, Parish Pastor at “St. Paul”,
Canoas ,RS, Brazil
www.twitter.com/lucasdje
Chaplain at Ulbra, Parish Pastor at “St. Paul”,
Canoas ,RS, Brazil
www.twitter.com/lucasdje
Translator:
Rev. Paulo S.
Albrecht
Rio de
Janeiro, RJ, Brasil
Text
revision
Ms. Kim Starr
MA Practical
Theology & Deaconess Certified
Wisconsin,
US
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