Ephesians 5:10
“as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”
All religions do this. Some in history did human sacrifices. It’s difficult if one faith had an angry God who wanted cruel sacrifices. The God of the bible is a benevolent One. He loves us and wants the best for us. Pleasing Him isn’t burdensome.
In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus said, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.” Living in a way that advances His kingdom pleases Him. How do we do that? We don’t live in a way that’s contrary to the bible and we follow His commandments, to love Him and others.
Acts 2:42 spoke of how the early church spent their time, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” The apostles’ teaching was that which Jesus passed on to them, which was the gospels.
God’s Word, the bible, has many descriptions: food, a lamp, a foundation, His wishes and words to us and so on. As we read it, study it and meditate on it we are listening to God. There are many benefits to taking it in. Jesus called it seed that gets planted in our hearts and grows the life of God in us.
The fruit of the life of God is listed in Galatians 5, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control”. God is quite pleased as this fruit is alive and produced in us. Others get to partake of this fruit and it satisfies.
Another way the early church spent its time was in fellowship. David said, “Oh how good and how pleasant it is for the brethren to dwell together in unity”, (Psalm 133:1). We all enjoy friendship. God supercharges this joy as we associate with brothers in Christ.
Prayer and remembering the Lord’s supper are also good things that please God. Prayer can be meditation and spending time with Him. It’s also asking Him for help for ourselves and others. Some feel like they are imposing on Him. As if He is more pleased when we are independent of Him. No. He wants us to ask of Him.
Another thought on learning to please God is in Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” As we walk with the Lord, we get immersed in His love. He fills us up with satisfaction and joy. This verse says He gives us the desires of our heart. We don’t get everything we want, but get a lot. He also puts new desires in our hearts in which He fills.
Proverbs 16:7 says, “When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.” Peace is one of the results of God’s presence. Philippians 4:6,7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” As we walk with Christ, He fills our hearts with peace. The proverbs passage says that His ways create peace in our relationships. Even with our enemies. God You are amazing.
God, You are so good to us. In this time in which it’s focused on pleasing You, we learn that You want to please us. Thank You.