HOW TO LIVE IN ORDER TO PLEASE GOD
SCRIPTURE:
“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.” (1Thessalonians 4:1—8 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Paul encourages the Thessalonians to live is such a way that pleases God as they are already doing it. But now, Paul is urging them in the name of the Lord Jesus to continue to do more and more of living out the godly life that pleases God. How is that life that pleases God looks like? Paul said, It is God’s will that;
- They should live a SANCTIFIED life
- They should AVOID SEXUAL IMMORALITY
- They should LEARN TO CONTROL their own body in way that is holy and honorable.
- They should not LIVE IN PASSIONATE LUST like the pagans
- They should not WRONG OR TAKE ADVANTAGE of a brother or sister
These are instructions for me as a believer to live in such a way that PLEASES GOD. I am no longer live to please the lust of my passionate lust like nonbelievers do. I must take control of my own body and desires and so I may live a life pleasing to God. God did not call me to live in and impure lifestyle. I am reminded that if I live other than what God says pleases him, than I am still living in my sins.
The warning is, any believer who lives an unsanctified life, who engages in sexual immorality, who does not control their bodies desire, who lives out in passionate lust or take advantage of brothers and sisters, is someone whose life is displeasing to God.
Also believers who rejects the instructions about the life that pleases God, rejects not human instructions but God, the very God whose Holy Spirit lives in us. I am been reminded that my life must be pure and holy, giving glory to God. There is no other way to live a lifestyle that honors God, unless I follow the instructions given by God himself. I can live to please myself or I can live to please God. This is going to be a constant reality as I follow him. But I must always choose what God said what kind of life that pleases him. I no longer belong to myself, but to God. The life I now live, I live to please him.
APPLICATION:
Although I do not always do what I am supposed to do, I am grateful that the Holy Spirit who dwells in me, constantly speaking and reminding me of my choices that are displeasing to God. I want to yield my life more and more in ways that will always honoring and glorifying God as He deserves. I also am reminded that the life that lives to please God will not take advantage of others. I want to fully commit my life to live in such a way that pleases Jesus and encourages others.
PRAYER:
Father, please help me to make right choices and to fully intent to live in such a way that pleases you. I repent of so many times I allowed my flesh to get in the way of our relationship. Please help me to be a child whose desires are pure and holy and giving glory to you. Forgive me for the times that I succumb to temptation and do things that are displeasing to you. I need you daily. Please speak to me always throughout the day of things that pleases your heart. In Jesus name, Amen!
