Sunday, February 1, 2009

What Pleases God - Part I

What Pleases God Intro Post

Finally, brothers, 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.
I Thes 4:1

In Paul's letter here to the Thessalonians I think he is referring to "the walk" of a christian. The process of allowing the Holy Spirit to change us to holiness. Not our talk but our walk. The process.

He goes on to encourage

1. sexual purity (vs. 3-)
2. loving relationships with our brothers [and sisters] (vs 9 -)
3. a way of daily life that wins the respect of outsiders (vs 11 - )

All signs that the Holy Spirit is in us. Not that we're perfect in these areas - but that there is change in these areas and we do get "better".

When I looked up more information on vs. 11 - 12 and this way of living that encourages positive relationships with those 'outside' the Body... I found some really interesting descriptions of what these verses are really saying.

...to lead a quiet life... The Word is encouraging us to live a quiet life - which says to me - separate from the desire to be in the spotlight. Not having a desire to make a great stir. Not to be so extremely busy that we create attention....but to live quietly. To have time for stillness. To strive to do small things with great love. To embrace the small opportunities we have to love, give, share everyday - not thinking anything is too little or below us... to follow our Savior's ultimate example of serving those around Him even in the daily dirty task of washing the feet of others full of dirt & debris.

...to mind your own business.... doesn't read to me the "mind your own business" we get from a snappy 12 year old... it speaks to me that we are to take care of what we have. Whatever role you are in, do it to your best. When reading a commentary on this it says the verse implies that we can't neglect our daily duties. In the time after Jesus' resurrection... some were so enthusiastic of the second coming which they thought would be soon that they neglected their work and became in debt to others. A great lesson for us to take care of our business, to not get into debt and to be great stewards of what we have. Time, talents, money.

God isn't only in the future. God is now. Jesus is coming back yes --- but Jesus is already with us. In us. We don't have to wait for Him! He is with us in our daily tasks and He is an expert in every thing we do. We're not supposed to wait for Jesus to come to start living with Him.... We're not supposed to leave Him in our churches on Sunday thinking 'that stuff' is His area of expertise. We are supposed to make Him a part of our every day! His expertise is EVERYTHING. We should include Him in thought during our activities in the day! He loves to be with the ones He love and so should we! :)

So in summary --- allowing the Holy Spirit to 'sanctify' us is pleasing to God. To become more like Jesus not by our own doing but through the Spirit. We just have to allow it to happen - to be "sanctified" - dedicated and set apart for God's purpose. Not for God's purpose SOME day... for God's purpose for our life TODAY!!! Not for God's purpose always in ways that are blaringly obvious to the world or great missions around the world --- but being set aside Holy allowing the process to occur daily wherever we are in whatever role! There's not a goal that we'll be pleasing to God when we become _____. It's the journey - not the destination. We can live a life pleasing to God not to be a goal for only when we grow up - but right now. Allowing the process to happen DAILY is pleasing to Him.

How do we allow the Holy Spirit to do this anyway? By spending time with Him daily. By studying God's word daily and letting Him plant these seeds into us.

So here was my first glimpse into what a life that is pleasing to God looks like. A life that embraces the process of santification in our daily lives.... being thankful for the process understanding that we don't have to wait for Him. He's here. He's watching. He wants to be involved. He wants to use you right NOW. Allowing the sanctification to happen so that one could become sexually pure, a good steward of what one has been given, be in loving relationships in the Body and lead a quiet, hard-working daily life that gains the respect of 'outsiders'.

One that embraces the process out of thankfulness and love for Him. Allowing Him to do the planting and growing... then recognizing Him when fruits grow. Knowing when we are good stewards in our "small", "little" tasks He will give us greater things to be great stewards of! The journey starts in our daily tasks & daily life right where we are, now.

5 comments:

jeleasure said...

Hi Randi Jo,

You wrote a very good argument that supports my perspective on how to please God.

The only thing I can elaborate on is 'holiness' or 'sanctification'. You said it so beautifully. Sanctification is the journey. But, how?

By loving God, right? That is what you said. Do we do this by only studying our Bible and praying, discussing with the Lord and going to church?

Jesus says if you love Him, you will keep His commands. He says, if you love Him, we will be loved by His Father also. Get this!

We must keep Jesus' commands. What commands did He give us? He said, Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself. He said, "A new command I give you. Love one another. As I have loved you, so must you love one another. By this, all men will know you are my disciples if you love one another" John 13:24-25.

Now, I did catch this:

"To strive to do small things with great love. To embrace the small opportunities we have to love, give, share everyday - not thinking anything is too little or below us... to follow our Savior's ultimate example of serving those around Him even in the daily dirty task of washing the feet of others full of dirt & debris."

I some how get the feeling that you are walking away from the works you mentioned above, when you begin to discuss our personal time with God.

However, you said some things very beautifully. You said,

"We are supposed to make Him a part of our every day! His expertise is EVERYTHING. We should include Him in thought during our activities in the day! He loves to be with the ones He love and so should we!"

"He loves to be with the ones He loves and so should we!"

Yes! This is my point. I don't think you realize that we are in agreement.

Let's use a human example, as Paul often said he would speak of.

Here it is;
Do you have hatred for your family? God, as the Father desires His family to have 'love for one another'.

Randi Jo, when you say you disagree with me, I beleve it is because you may not be placing much importance on how our works are done as a 'family' function. This is so important to God that we be His family. I'll let this go for now.
P.s., I wrote a rather lengthy comment in reply to you on my blog. But, I think I did better to address your comments on my blog, from what I am able to glean from you here.
Blessings to you
Jim

Randi Jo :) said...

Thanks so much for the comment Jim! :) I do understand we are in agreement about the command to love. Who would disagree with that? The Word tells us to love one other.... I think we disagree on the process on 'learning' to love.... but I won't go on about it here..... I wrote my reply on your blog! :)

Thanks SOO much for the conversation!!!!! :)

jeleasure said...

Believe it or not, there are people who will say that we are saved and sanctified regardless of whether we love, or not.

The way I see it, if Jesus condems those on His left because they did not do for the least of the brothers of Him, then, we better not argue with whether or not we should be concerned with keeping the command to love.

Nice music. Finally Make it Home - Mercy Me. And, You Raise Me Up - Selah.

Randi Jo, I think you would enjoy blogging with the network of Christians I am in. Would you like me to send you some traffic?
I should probably inform you of how it works. The network will begin visiting you, you will then visit them and ask if they would like to exchange in hosting a link. You host a link to their page from yours, and they host a link to yours from their page.

It is easy to manage if you do an automatic Blog list. It will update to inform you of who has just recently posted a fresh blog. Add your blog links to a 'blog list' then check daily to see who you need to visit.

Let me know. You are writing a very good blog and I think the people (some highly educated) will enjoy reading what you have to say.
Jim

Randi Jo :) said...

I just really stick to my belief that a life of love naturally comes about from Him.... and not our own "decision" or even "effort".... anything done by decision/effort means to me we are trying with our own efforts and that's impossible. HE is the only one who is able to give unconditional/true love. I think we need to focus on inspiring people to grow with Him --- and a life of love will follow because the HOly Spirit is who convicts & changes people to the Truth

I don't think having a life that fulfills the 2nd greatest commandment is accomplished by anything done on our own effrts. I don't think it's an intentional decision we have to make to love others. I think it comes out as a natural symptom of growing with Him. It's the Spirit working through us.

blessings!! :)

jeleasure said...

Good enough for me, Randi.

What I really do know, regardless of whether I make decissions or not to love, is that we do love and we do have Christ to atone for us.

Thanks for the chats.
I have written about six people in my network. Tomorrow, I will extend more invitations for them to visit you.
Have a good night,
Jim