The Tribune

By CARLOS SPENCER

There are few issues that should be more important to us than wishing to please God, our Creator. This responsibility is even more important for Believers. None of us are without sin (Roman 3:23) but the Apostle Paul told us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV): “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

This is a challenge for all, including Believers in Christ because of our human nature.

John the Evangelist provided us with a useful word in 1 John 3:22 (KJV). “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” Scripture is telling us quite clearly that God will give us whatever we ask of Him because we obey Him and do those things that are pleasing to Him.

We are expected to exercise patience as a child of God because His word is binding. Paul reminds us of this in Philippians 4:19 (KJV): “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

We are God’s handiwork, created out of love and our main requirement is to obey His commands and love Him above all else. When we can achieve this, we are truly pleasing God.

The writer of Hebrews gives us a specific word which is relevant to how we interact with each other, and we should pay close attention to it. Hebrews 13:16 admonishes us: “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

Once again we are intended to do the things which please God and scripture is constantly providing us with guidance on how we are to achieve this objective. It is not always easy but our spiritual walk with God gives us the requisite strength and courage to do what He requires of us. If we keep our minds “stayed” on God, (Isaiah 26:3 KJV) the process becomes much less of a challenge.

Solomon sums it up for us in Ecclesiastes 12:13 (KJV): “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Amen. Thanks be to God for the sharing of His word.