At our discussion group on Wednesday nights we’ve been talking about the idea of pleasing God. I walked away from tonight asking myself the question, “Why are we so obsessed with the idea that we have to please God?” I know that even asking the question almost seems rhetorical. I know, I know…He’s our creator and we should want to please Him…and I believe that we do! Think about it…as a Christian we have decided in faith that Jesus lived a perfect life (pleased God), died a death (we ‘crucify ourselves’ with Christ…spiritually) that frees us from the idea that we have to be perfect, and then rose from the dead. If we as Christians really believe that when we accept Jesus that He is our new life, He is our sacrifice, and He defeated death, then why do we act as if we still have something to do!?! I mean…isn’t that enough! Why is that I feel that I still have to do something else to justify myself? Maybe it’s because I don’t have the faith the believe that the story of Jesus is true. Maybe it’s because I think that I still have to do fulfill some part of the bargain…Or maybe it’s because the lies come in that I am not in relationship with God only based upon Christ. Maybe I really do have to do something else. Maybe I have to finish what Jesus left short.
But let’s be honest with ourselves…We don’t have anything to do now! Christ has done all that needed to be done for us to be in a perfect relationship with God through faith. Of course, when this truth is realized we WANT to do all this other stuff (the spiritual disciplines, ‘quiet time’, read the bible, etc.) because God is our friend, lover, and father. And if we don’t do these things then we miss Him. They are no longer motivated by guilt or a feeling that we have to do them (or won’t be a good Christian if we don’t). They are motivated by a loving relationship!
So where does the idea of pleasing God with what we do come from? You tell me! I don’t think that it’s found in the Bible…The only way can be pleasing to God is to live a life of faith that draws us into deeper relationship with Him. So stop trying to ‘please God’ and just enjoy the relationship that you have with your creator…You’ll probably love Him (and yourself) more if you do!
Justin, I’m amazed at your ability to verbalize the depth of your passion for Christ. You are right about just being who God created us to be, and then focusing on nothing else but following Christ, which in turn pleases Him. Perhaps in your journey, you will be led to write a book. I believe you have the gift…it’s lost on a blog…
Pizie, it’s nice to know you’re still the same Justin asking the ridiculously obvious questions that a majority of us glaze over because it’s staring us in the face. In response to your “doing” question, I go back to the beginning. Was the intent of our creation to “do” or to “be”? I don’t know, but I believe at the end of each day, what truly mattered to Father was to simply “be” with His creation which He loved without end. Now, from “be”ing I surmise that the concept and psuedo (I think I spelled that wrong) obligation to do comes into play. I don’t think doing is wrong, we just got to make sure doing for all the right reasons - for being back in relationship with Christ. Well, those are my thoughts for the night. LATE and keep it up.
Prez
Great post Babe!
Good point about doing and being. I agree with you completely. I think we all struggle with the reality that’s it’s just so much easier to define ourselves by what we do and not who we are…and that’s why we sucked into the doing cycle like it’s a magnet! Oh well…I just hope that I can be ok with ‘just’ being loved by God…it’s strange that we so often want more than that…but heck…I’m selfish…and insecure! So I am looking for the something that I’ll never need to fulfill the longing I shoudn’t have! If only my faith was stronger…hey that’s what my next post is about!