Seeking to be Well Pleasing to Him - Proverbs 13-15 and II Corinthians 5
Think about this for a moment. Since God is the Sovereign Lord of the universe, and He is in control of the destiny of each individual person, should we not live our lives in such a way as to be fully pleasing to Him? It seems like a "no-brainer" to me. However, some people reject the existence of God, and others reject His instruction and commands. They are in danger of eternal punishment in Hell, if they do not listen to the rebuke of God's Word and put their trust in the Lord. I think that is the key; people do not like rebuke. They want to go their own way and hope that God will be pleased. God is never pleased when we do it our own way.
The book of Proverbs gives us many insights into pleasing God. It tells us over and over again to listen to the instruction and correction of our parents. God gives us parents to be our first teachers, and to guide us in the truth. Unfortunately, pride leads children to reject their parents, and go their own way. Then, the same pride leads many people to be scoffers and foolish people who reject correction from any source. They are sure they can figure things out themselves, and that they have a better way. They think they even know better than the Bible. That is the broad way that leads to destruction, and many people go down that freeway. The way to live a life that is pleasing to God, is to accept His rebuke and His instruction. It may hurt, and it may be difficult, but it is always worth it in the end.
II Corinthians 5 speaks of being ready to leave this world and to stand before God. We will receive an eternal body, and we will spend eternity in heaven or in hell. Those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, will be judged according to their works and sent to the Lake of Fire. Those who accept Christ as their personal Savior and Lord will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and then, they will be with Him forever. In both cases, the Judgment is for the way we have lived. They person is either saved or lost the second they die. The Judgment has nothing to do with salvation. It has to do with whether we lived a life that was pleasing to God or not. He will go over it with us in detail. Then, we will receive a further rebuke or a reward. We need to be ready for that time by seeking to live a life that is well pleasing to Him each day. Also, we must realize that it is our ministry to let others know about being reconciled to God. We are His ambassadors in this world. We can make a difference in the lives of others by telling them how we came to know Christ and how to live a life well pleasing to God. That is an awesome responsibility, but it is the truth. God will hold us accountable for the example and the witness we are to those around us. Therefore, it is very important for all people to receive the rebuke and instruction of God and to live in a way that is well pleasing to Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 16-18 and II Corinthians 6.
The book of Proverbs gives us many insights into pleasing God. It tells us over and over again to listen to the instruction and correction of our parents. God gives us parents to be our first teachers, and to guide us in the truth. Unfortunately, pride leads children to reject their parents, and go their own way. Then, the same pride leads many people to be scoffers and foolish people who reject correction from any source. They are sure they can figure things out themselves, and that they have a better way. They think they even know better than the Bible. That is the broad way that leads to destruction, and many people go down that freeway. The way to live a life that is pleasing to God, is to accept His rebuke and His instruction. It may hurt, and it may be difficult, but it is always worth it in the end.
II Corinthians 5 speaks of being ready to leave this world and to stand before God. We will receive an eternal body, and we will spend eternity in heaven or in hell. Those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, will be judged according to their works and sent to the Lake of Fire. Those who accept Christ as their personal Savior and Lord will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and then, they will be with Him forever. In both cases, the Judgment is for the way we have lived. They person is either saved or lost the second they die. The Judgment has nothing to do with salvation. It has to do with whether we lived a life that was pleasing to God or not. He will go over it with us in detail. Then, we will receive a further rebuke or a reward. We need to be ready for that time by seeking to live a life that is well pleasing to Him each day. Also, we must realize that it is our ministry to let others know about being reconciled to God. We are His ambassadors in this world. We can make a difference in the lives of others by telling them how we came to know Christ and how to live a life well pleasing to God. That is an awesome responsibility, but it is the truth. God will hold us accountable for the example and the witness we are to those around us. Therefore, it is very important for all people to receive the rebuke and instruction of God and to live in a way that is well pleasing to Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 16-18 and II Corinthians 6.