How can I please God? A defining moment question in any believers life.
- Before we can answer this question, we have to bring some things into perspective.
Firstly, as humans, we naturally go through a "response-cycle". We noticed something (it may be a problem or it may be a positive ligetimate question) > we ask a question > we formulate an answer > we act accordingly. Secondly, what does God look at? Outward actions or heart (attitude, character, mindset)? Obviously the answer is, He looks at our heart. By understanding first these two points, we then can answer the question.
Character, attitude and mindsets are very important factors in our Christian life. We got saved by accepting Jesus into our lives and our nature changed, from sinners to saints. But attitude, character and mindset (ACM) change/transform as a process. One key factor of pleasing Him is being humble (teachable, correctable, moldable, changeable). Letting Him have complete say over our dreams and "5 year plans" will definitely please Him. Jesus is the perfect example.
He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane before He was crucified, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42). So, letting Him invade our lives (hurts, fears, comfort zone included) is something that will please Him.
- Dealing with the problem
Sadly many Christians respond wrongly. Instead of letting God invade their souls and transform their ACM, they instead focus on actions rather than the heart issue. Being occupied by activities or even ministry does not settle the heart issue. Only in the light of Jesus there can be restoration and overcoming. The often quoted statement in avoiding the issue of the heart would be, "Don't worry, I can deal with it" or "You don't understand me, I wasn't at fault and he started it" or "You don't know my dad like how I know him".
- A true story
Let us take the last sentence as an example. Chileab is a 9 year old boy who hates his father because he doesn't spend enough time with him, always isn't at home, and nothing ever seems to meet his father's expectations. Years pass and Leinad hears the gospel and accepts Jesus into his life. Praise the Lord, he is saved! He then grows in the Lord and learns that we should forgive our enemies and love our neighbour as ourselves. Chileab then "deals with the problem" which is to not expect much of his dad coz' he will be disappointed anyway. So to avoid being disappointed, I shall not put my trust in him. To avoid quarrels, I shall just not talk with him. After all I'm now serving in church and I've got God's things to do now. Wow, so smart! NOT!!! My friends, that is not dealing with the problem whatsoever. It's just avoiding the problem.
Avoiding the issue of the heart is not dealing with it. Busying yourself with stuff, even ministry, is not dealing with the problem.
- OK.... I understand what you mean. I understand that my heart is what pleases Him and that this "daddy issue" is not pleasing Him. What am I suppose to do now?
Deal with it....... by letting it expose to the light of Jesus. Acknowledge before Him that you hate your father and let all the memories of the pass surface and forgive him!We should all this.
- But what about if the issue of the heart was not settled for a long period of time? That seed of bitterness has grown to become a tree. It even is bearing fruit! Bad fruit!!!
If that is the case, comes my first point in the first place. Humility. You need to be open to someone for correction, wisdom, accountability, guidance, direction, advice and counsel.
- And who should I be open to. Who should I be open to for correction and the other stuff ?
The only people you should be open to correction, counsel, accountability, etc. is someone that does likewise also. Meaning the person you are open to is also humble (teachable, correctable, moldable, changeable), such as your section overseer or your leader if he/she is humble as well (best applied by WHC members).
- Can I be open to a friend instead?
Well you can, but only if they are humble people (teachable, correctable, moldable, changeable). I don't encourage this.
- Why not? I think he/she is humble.
You have to develop accountability. Accountability is not people who have your same struggles. That's called friends.
- So who should I be accountable to?
The right person
- So you might ask, "How do you know if you're accountable to the right person?"
Well if you fail you'll be nervous about telling them. I'm not talking about paranoid. But listen, if you can go "Hey dude, slept with a girl last week man, feel really convicted about that." "Hey no worries man, I've done that before too. I know how that feels." That's not accountability, that's misery loves company.
So what is the conclusion of the matter?
- Don't focus on what you should DO to please God, but first let God deal with your heart. Because occupying yourself with activities for God is not the thing that pleases Him and it might lead you into further hurts because the issue of the heart is not dealt with in the first place.
- Be open for correction, counsel, direction, etc. from someone spiritually mature (someone that is also teachable, correctable, etc.). Example (for WHC members), your section overseer.
The circle we chose in the 4 spiritual laws booklet was not just a formula to get into heaven. It was a road to becoming a perfect man (Eph 4:13 aka 'maturity' in NIV). Lets not forget this and put ourselves back on the throne again.
Wasn't simple of an answer was it? :)
