For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10
Living to please God is like “living right”, a term normally used to describe a lifestyle that would ensure we do not complicate our lives and face consequences that could have been avoided. Eating the right food, for example, ensures that we live healthy lives while indulging ourselves with all forms of ‘the nice things around’ may lead to future health hazards. The reluctance that many people have is that of abandoning what appears to be “today’s pleasure” for the fear of a tomorrow’s complication. It takes wisdom and discipline to be guided on a path that leads to sustained fulfillment.
Satan has polluted the earth with so many desires that appear to be “today’s pleasure” in order to draw people away from God and many seek after these pleasures at the cost at which they are offered. The desire to acquire these “today’s pleasures” has led many to all forms of crimes and has brought an ever-increasing drive to please self with pleasures that are but for a fleeting moment. But God, our Creator, sees beyond this moment and has given us guidelines that will bring us sustained joy and fulfillment. He loves us so dearly that He is pleased when we follow His guidelines and lead others to them. Through His Son Jesus Christ, God lived among us showing us an example to follow that we may also have constant fellowship with Him in this world and the world after.
Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:1, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children” and find out what pleases God (v8). Also he warns, “Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Eph. 5:15-17)
Living to please God is living to bring ultimate benefit and glory to oneself. It reflects our deliverance from darkness that we were – where we sought after desires of the flesh and drew ourselves farther from our creator. It makes us children of light – bringing forth the fruit of goodness, righteousness and the truth. Our future with God in eternity is secured.
To please God we have to have a humble heart (Psalms 51:16, 17), to act justly and have mercy (Micah 6:8), to be obedient (1 Samuel 15:22, John 15:10), to have faith in Him and believe in Jesus Christ (John 6:28, 29; Hebrews 11:6), submitting to the control of the Holy Spirit and living a life of holiness (Romans 8:8) and most importantly to love and fear God and walk in His ways (Deuteronomy 10:12, 13; Psalms 147:11).
We cannot end this piece with anything better than Paul’s concluding words to the Thessalonians: “Finally, 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. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.” (1Thessalonians 4:1-2)
Have a fruitful week as you make effort to live a life pleasing to God.
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeaco
Igein Isemede