Pleasing God @ MindSay

Ever have a headache?  It's painful, annoying, interferes with concentration. It can inhibit enjoyment of a good day, productivity, or sleep.  They can be pervasive, or merely something to be endured.

Some people are like headaches.

There are, in life, some folk that a body doesn't "gel" with.  Not everyone is going to be a "kindred spirit," (to put it in terms of Anne Shirley), or even a more casual friend.  In fact, people occasionally know others they would classify in terms of antipathy.  Not only is there no fellow-feeling, there may be outright aggression.

It happens. 

In many cases such as these, there really isn't a whole lot a person can do about it.  There is no "magic pain reliever" to make them go away.  Just as there is "chemistry" between people (romantic and platonic), there are what have been termed "bad vibes."  Just that feeling you get when someone rubs you the wrong way. 

Some folks go so far as to say they even have enemies.  People who will throw up roadblocks to their projects, gossip maliciously about them at the watercooler, cast aspersions upon their character.  I've had them. You probably have, too.  Again, often, there really isn't anything you can do about this.  All you can do is be true to yourself.

But there is one more thing.  From a man who knew what it was to be both loved and envied.


How can a man make his ways pleasing to the Lord?  That is the question.  The prophet Micah says something that is fairly easy to remember:  


Be fair.  Value faithfulness.  Understand your life under the hand of God and know your true worth.  It's not terribly complicated, though it requires taking the time to get to know God, yes. 

Nowhere does God promise that we won't have enemies. Nowhere does he say we have to be buddies with everyone in the world.  He does, though, promise to let us walk with him.  And, if we are living in ways that please the Lord, even those people with whom we are not sympathetic could conceivably be less antagonistic toward us.  They might even be at peace. 

This is not a promise for an easy life.  It is just a reminder that there are indeed benefits to doing what is right.  Some are immediate, some might only be seen in a lessening of pressure.

Like a headache, sometimes the relief might come without warning, but the pain just isn't there anymore. And, often, that's enough.

For many years, I sat on church pews and listened intently to others' understanding of Scripture, of life,  and of God's mysteries.  I was taught not to question, but strangely, God gave me an inquisitive nature.  It has now been nearly 40 yrs since Jesus became a real, living Savior to me.  I have studied much, learned much, failed much, and confessed daily (at least).  I claim no titles or offices other than Believer (in the active sense).

 

Today, there is something on my mind.  It is a genuine question for which I ask input. 

 

Question:  If, we are saved by faith (Eph 2), why is there so much emphasis on being pleasing to God?  That, to me, sounds like behavior, not faith.  Although I understand that faith manifests itself by behavior, why is the emphasis not placed on faith being pleasing rather than behavior being pleasing.  I guess what I'm asking is where do we draw the line, or do we draw the line?

• Abraham, slept with his wife's slave in an attempt to gain God's promise, and yet was counted God's friend.
• David was an adulterer, a murderer, and a lousy dad, but had a heart after God.

There are plenty of others, but no need ... Neither of these men were ignorant of God's ways when they chose their own way.  Are we saved by faith or behavior?  AND where does grace fit into the mix?   What is it about us that pleases God?

 

................... to be continued

 

~ B