Being obedient and desiring to please God

[Vic]

Part of growing in Christ is allowing Him to change us, and our thinking. With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a desire is given to be obedient to God's Word and what God has called us to.

That in turn, becomes a desire to do things to please Him. Not unlike desiring to please those we love and do things we know are pleasing to them. Not out of forced desire, but because of a love response, because He first loved us.

Some view living for Christ with these concepts in mind, as being legalistic or working for salvation or striving to please, which then must overturn God's free gift of salvation.

We are saved by God's grace. But, what happens after we believe Christ?

What do the Scriptures have to say about obedience to the faith, to the Word of God? Do they say anything about having a God given desire to please Him?

If we believe that our righteousness comes from Christ, and He alone provides all we need to "serve" Him, what does serving Him mean?

Here's some Scriptures to start us off.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

Rom 15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

Act 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Philippians 2:5-13 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

1 Peter 1:12-17 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 13. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14. As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

Romans 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

1 Corinthians 3:6-9 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6. And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 16. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

James 1:22-25 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24. For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

[Vic]

Just a few more Scriptures concerning doing things which please God:

Colossians 1:9-11 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

1Th 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

1 John 3:21-22 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

[live4Him]

(05-20-2009 12:20 PM)Vic Wrote:  Just a few more Scriptures concerning doing things which please God:

Colossians 1:9-11 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

1Th 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

1 John 3:21-22 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

This thread is so timely! My husband and I were just discussing this very topic last night and this morning. He was lying in bed and he said he was thinking that we are "arrogant" if we refuse to "keep the commandments". What he means by that is keeping the seventh-day sabbath,Jewish Feasts etc.

He believes that is what we do to please God and have His blessings in our lives. I think there's many more things we do in our daily lives that please Him. I love I John 3:18! That is my favorite verse. I've tried to live by it as best I can (with a lot of help from the Holy Spirit).

I wasn't sure if this post belonged here or in the Messianic section but it does seem to apply to being obedient and pleasing God. How can we please God if we're not walking in truth?

[Vic]

(05-20-2009 01:28 PM)live4Him Wrote:  This thread is so timely! My husband and I were just discussing this very topic last night and this morning. He was lying in bed and he said he was thinking that we are "arrogant" if we refuse to "keep the commandments". What he means by that is keeping the seventh-day sabbath,Jewish Feasts etc.

He believes that is what we do to please God and have His blessings in our lives. I think there's many more things we do in our daily lives that please Him. I love I John 3:18! That is my favorite verse. I've tried to live by it as best I can (with a lot of help from the Holy Spirit).

I wasn't sure if this post belonged here or in the Messianic section but it does seem to apply to being obedient and pleasing God. How can we please God if we're not walking in truth?

We can talk about it here, Peg. We can't please God if we are not walking in His Truth. What you need to ask your hubby is :

When Jesus said, It has been said...and then countered with, But I say unto you..(ex Matt 5)..are these part of the New Covenant beliefs brought in by Christ, who is THE New Covenant? And do they not change what had been the commandments and ordinances of the Mosaic law?

Then ask, if it made someone unclean according to the Mosaic law, that is, touching those with leprosy, disease, the dead, those who were not Jewish....the answer is....that person was made unclean. So when Jesus touched those unclean people....did He sin, according to Mosaic law or did He do His Father's will, and since He gave the law.....?

Hebrews 8:6-8 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

Hebrews 8:9-13 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11. And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 7:11-12 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12. For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

[live4Him]

(05-20-2009 01:53 PM)Vic Wrote:  

(05-20-2009 01:28 PM)live4Him Wrote:  This thread is so timely! My husband and I were just discussing this very topic last night and this morning. He was lying in bed and he said he was thinking that we are "arrogant" if we refuse to "keep the commandments". What he means by that is keeping the seventh-day sabbath,Jewish Feasts etc.

He believes that is what we do to please God and have His blessings in our lives. I think there's many more things we do in our daily lives that please Him. I love I John 3:18! That is my favorite verse. I've tried to live by it as best I can (with a lot of help from the Holy Spirit).

I wasn't sure if this post belonged here or in the Messianic section but it does seem to apply to being obedient and pleasing God. How can we please God if we're not walking in truth?

We can talk about it here, Peg. We can't please God if we are not walking in His Truth. What you need to ask your hubby is :

When Jesus said, It has been said...and then countered with, But I say unto you..(ex Matt 5)..are these part of the New Covenant beliefs brought in by Christ, who is THE New Covenant? And do they not change what had been the commandments and ordinances of the Mosaic law?

Then ask, if it made someone unclean according to the Mosaic law, that is, touching those with leprosy, disease, the dead, those who were not Jewish....the answer is....that person was made unclean. So when Jesus touched those unclean people....did He sin, according to Mosaic law or did He do His Father's will, and since He gave the law.....?

Hebrews 8:6-8 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

Hebrews 8:9-13 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11. And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 7:11-12 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12. For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

It seems like we're held to an even higher standard according to Jesus' teaching in Matt. 5. But I'm still kind of confused about what Matt.5:17-19 really means. This is one of the favorite proof texts people use in HR and one my husband stands on.

[Vic]

(05-20-2009 07:24 PM)live4Him Wrote:  It seems like we're held to an even higher standard according to Jesus' teaching in Matt. 5. But I'm still kind of confused about what Matt.5:17-19 really means. This is one of the favorite proof texts people use in HR and one my husband stands on.

We are held to a higher standard because we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and because of dependence on Him to keep us, change us, work through us. There are over 1000 do's and don'ts in the NT. But because our walk is based in Christ, with HIs righteousness...He makes us a sweet savour to God. It's not about our abilities as the Mosaic law was.

You are right--it is one of the so called proof texts....but since what is being taught about it is error.....it can be fully refuted.

Take a look at this thread and my post #6 in particular...

http://www.seekgod.ca/forum/showthread.php?tid=61


Then this thread >

http://www.seekgod.ca/forum/showthread.php?tid=206

Then this one>

http://www.seekgod.ca/forum/showthread.php?tid=77


These are all discussions of this very issue....and to cover it from a slightly different approach...

http://www.seekgod.ca/forum/showthread.php?tid=65
note also post 28...

Where people are disagreeing in the thread is because they are for the most part HR. So if you can focus on the refutation by Sheep, Rose, myself and a few others...you will get a better understanding of the argument itself, what is accomplished and overturned and then how it can be fully refuted scripturally. I don't want to overburden you, but these threads in particular will help you immensely with this 'proof text'.

Also http://www.seekgod.ca/forum/showthread.p...=37&page=4
also note #38

It might seem like a lot...but it actually is just the same issue refuted from different points.

[Strefanash]

It is about the personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. For it is written those who are lead by the Spirit these are the Sons of God.

And how have I even begun to aspproach the idea of pleasing God? by being brought to confess, by the Spirits leading, my sins of all self will to the contrary, and then being lead in real repentance, not the counterfeit sumoned up by will of the flesh.

Lead by the Holy SPirit. No interference from men, and my own presumptions kindly and patiently exposed, convicted asnd repented of as He leads, always in patience kindness and mercy.

This of course meant by lead to face the factr that all my claims to love God and want to please him were largely a sham, but if arriving at abundant life, having the sabbath rest of the believer and the peace that the world cannot give means my admitting my sins, (real admission, not the legalist reportage of the prayer list or the guilty conscience) all convicted in patience and mercy by the Holy SPirit, and with NO hint of condemnation whatsoever why not?

Why ever not?

---

You have to do it as it is commanded? or you want to do it and it is a delight to you to do it. The first is the old covenant, regardless of what the commandment is, for the issue of old versus new covenant is about how we stand in relationship to the commandments, not just what is commanded.

The second is the rivers of living waters flowing from within us, the fruit of the spirit. And the way to get to this second is the way of the cross.

But this is not crushing my desires by willpower and expecting God to help, because given the motive of said crushing God wil neer help.

The way of the cross is true repentance lead by the Holy Spirit in peace, no guilt (ie no agony of guilt) no hysterics, no histrionics.

The question is not which commandments to "obey", but are we in a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. If we are not the n the obedience becomes "obedience" with the " marks, ie counterfeit and a waste of time effort and suffering

[sheep wrecked]

(05-21-2009 04:45 AM)Strefanash Wrote:  And how have I even begun to aspproach the idea of pleasing God? by being brought to confess, by the Spirits leading, my sins of all self will to the contrary, and then being lead in real repentance, not the counterfeit sumoned up by will of the flesh.


This of course meant by lead to face the factr that all my claims to love God and want to please him were largely a sham, but if arriving at abundant life, having the sabbath rest of the believer and the peace that the world cannot give means my admitting my sins, (real admission, not the legalist reportage of the prayer list or the guilty conscience) all convicted in patience and mercy by the Holy SPirit, and with NO hint of condemnation whatsoever why not?

Why ever not?

---

You have to do it as it is commanded? or you want to do it and it is a delight to you to do it. The first is the old covenant, regardless of what the commandment is, for the issue of old versus new covenant is about how we stand in relationship to the commandments, not just what is commanded.

The second is the rivers of living waters flowing from within us, the fruit of the spirit. And the way to get to this second is the way of the cross.

But this is not crushing my desires by willpower and expecting God to help, because given the motive of said crushing God wil neer help.

The way of the cross is true repentance lead by the Holy Spirit in peace, no guilt (ie no agony of guilt) no hysterics, no histrionics.

The question is not which commandments to "obey", but are we in a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. If we are not the n the obedience becomes "obedience" with the " marks, ie counterfeit and a waste of time effort and suffering

I am a bit confused by your post. You seem to say that we have peace in Christ, but then concentrate on how repentant we have to be in order to have peace. And if one is not repentant, then one cannot please God. Maybe I am reading you wrong.

If one believes in Christ and walks in the Spirit, all sin is forgiven. Yes we repent of sin, but it's not the focus of our lives. I think it's more about balance. You seem to be tipping the scales and dumping the fact that God sees us as His righteousness in Christ because we have been bought at a terrible price. I am well aware of my sin, and confess it, but it does not consume by life. What Jesus said is that we must Love God with all our hearts [the Holy Spirit sees to it], not continually wallow in self deprecation. Does that make sense?

[live4Him]

(05-20-2009 08:11 PM)Vic Wrote:  

(05-20-2009 07:24 PM)live4Him Wrote:  It seems like we're held to an even higher standard according to Jesus' teaching in Matt. 5. But I'm still kind of confused about what Matt.5:17-19 really means. This is one of the favorite proof texts people use in HR and one my husband stands on.

We are held to a higher standard because we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and because of dependence on Him to keep us, change us, work through us. There are over 1000 do's and don'ts in the NT. But because our walk is based in Christ, with HIs righteousness...He makes us a sweet savour to God. It's not about our abilities as the Mosaic law was.

You are right--it is one of the so called proof texts....but since what is being taught about it is error.....it can be fully refuted.

Take a look at this thread and my post #6 in particular...

http://www.seekgod.ca/forum/showthread.php?tid=61


Then this thread >

http://www.seekgod.ca/forum/showthread.php?tid=206

Then this one>

http://www.seekgod.ca/forum/showthread.php?tid=77


These are all discussions of this very issue....and to cover it from a slightly different approach...

http://www.seekgod.ca/forum/showthread.php?tid=65
note also post 28...

Where people are disagreeing in the thread is because they are for the most part HR. So if you can focus on the refutation by Sheep, Rose, myself and a few others...you will get a better understanding of the argument itself, what is accomplished and overturned and then how it can be fully refuted scripturally. I don't want to overburden you, but these threads in particular will help you immensely with this 'proof text'.

Also http://www.seekgod.ca/forum/showthread.p...=37&page=4
also note #38

It might seem like a lot...but it actually is just the same issue refuted from different points.

Thanks,Vic, I read all the posts you listed and it's like the "light" is beginning to come back on and I'm climbing out of a dark hole that I've been in for some time now in my Christian walk. Praise the Lord!

[Vic]

(05-21-2009 02:25 PM)live4Him Wrote:  Thanks,Vic, I read all the posts you listed and it's like the "light" is beginning to come back on and I'm climbing out of a dark hole that I've been in for some time now in my Christian walk. Praise the Lord!

God is at work! And this is good, that you are gaining the understanding.