15 & 16 Feb 2025 (Pastoral Page) FINDING OUT WHAT PLEASES GOD

By Dr Peter Lim

During the Founders video shown at our 67th Anniversary service, I expressed my hope and prayer that at a personal level, our church members will “make it our goal to please Him” (2 Corinthians 5:9) as an overall aim in life. As a follow-up, let us find out more about what the Bible teaches on this subject.

Ever since the Garden of Eden where Eve was tempted by the allure of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because it was “pleasing to the eye” (Genesis 3:6), humankind has been vulnerable to the desire for self-gratification. The aged apostle John puts it very succinctly when he warns his readers about the three-pronged avenues of temptation – “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life” (1 John 2:16 ESV). Most if not all of us at one time or another have been dogged one or more of these three areas for self-pleasing. The apostle Paul also reminds us that in our pre-Christian state we lived “gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature” (Ephesians 2:1-3).

But as Christians, living a life that is pleasing to God should be our goal in life (2 Corinthians 5:9). In his letter to the Thessalonian Christians Paul reminded his readers that “we instructed you how to live in order to please God as in fact you are living” (1 Thessalonians 4:1). Likewise, the Colossian Christians were urged by Paul to “live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way . . .” (Colossians 1:10). But this is no easy task and can prove to be most challenging for most of us. So long as we are on this side of heaven, we will have to contend with the almost daily struggle between the “old self” and the “new man” that Paul so vividly describes in Romans 7:14-25. However, Paul asserts that in the end, God has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ who gives us strength (Romans 7:25; Philippians 4:13). Hence, it is helpful to remind ourselves constantly that “those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). In our secular dealings we are told that dishonest transactions do not please Him (Proverbs 20:23). In the spiritual realm, we cannot hope to please God through our sacrifices (Jeremiah 6:20), more so if these are blemished (Malachi 1:6-14). As Samuel pointed out to King Saul when the latter sacrificed animals that have been put to the “ban” – “to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).

Let us now “find out what pleases the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10). “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). This then is the starting point of the path to a life that pleases God. To ensure that we remain on this track, we are urged “in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). Furthermore, Paul’s unceasing prayer is that God will “fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom. . . in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:9-12).

In our daily life, family relationships are to be governed by the aim to please God. For instance, children are urged to “obey your parents in everything for this pleases the Lord” (Colossians 3:20). Likewise caring for one’s family is also pleasing to God (1 Timothy 5:4). A life that is pleasing to God has its rewards even on this side of heaven. As the Preacher says “To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness” (Ecclesiastes 2:26).

Our Lord Jesus Christ has set us the example of living a life that is pleasing to God through His perfect obedience even to death on the cross. At two crucial junctures in His earthly life, God affirmed and exalted Him. Following His baptism and after the transfiguration, a voice from heaven announced, “This is my Son, whom I loved; with Him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17; 17:5).

“May the God of peace. . . equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever” (Hebrews 13:20,21).

Announcement from Asst Ps Elaine Ng

Click this link to view the Tea with Founders Video screened at our 67th anniversary services (full version). The Founders have a lot more stories to share about their journey of faith (including what it was like in the early days of the church) and are happy to share over a Sunday lunch in church. If you are interested to hear more, please click here to register your interest.