2 Corinthians 5:9(ESV)
So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
The primary focus of Christian living and service is to please the Lord. God is the Owner and the Giver of life, and the purpose God gives us life is to please and glorify Him. Living to please God is a lifestyle of holiness, joy, happiness, satisfaction, sacrificial giving, prayer, praise, and worship of God. Revelation 4:11 says, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will, they existed and were created.” In whatever area of service, we find ourselves, recognize that we are to render that service to the Lord(Ephesians 6:7). Our focus should be on Heaven’s testimony about us and not what people think. When pleasing the Lord is our main motive in Christian service, we will always be concerned with how the Lord feels about our service. When we live according to the revealed will of God, we please Him, and He confirms His acceptance and approval.
Life is a product of personal adventure. What we do with our lives today determines where we find ourselves tomorrow. Ephesians 6:6 says, “Not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,” It is necessary to know that our assignment in life is how much we can please our Maker and be at peace with our actions. So, to please other people at the expense of pleasing God makes us nonentities on earth. We do not live to please society, nor do we live to please the devil; we only live to please God, our Maker. Many are more interested in the pleasing man than God. To the extent some people go to receive the recommendation of men, we cannot but pity their lack of understanding. Some are ready to please God only when the price is affordable, cheap or when it is convenient. There are many who bring agony to God through their lifestyles; they rather live to please a man and disobey God. It is disastrous when God disapproves of a person. The whole world may approve of us, but God may disapprove of us due to our lifestyle. No matter how men reject us for pleasing God, He will remember us for our promotion in Jesus’ Name.
Beloved, make up your mind not to displease God at the expense of pleasing people. In other words, never respect anyone enough to please them at the expense of pleasing God. Your choice in life must be God-centered. You must always stand against evil, even if you have to stand alone. Stand against wrongdoing even if it means standing against your blood relations or closest friends. Live to give God pleasure with your life continually because your life is either giving God excitement or causing Him embarrassment. If you are concerned about what people think so that you can gain their approval, you will never take a stand in faith for anything. Remember, you cannot be a ‘man-pleaser’ and please God simultaneously.
O Lord, thank You for Your Word, give me the grace to please You always in Jesus’ Name.