What Pleases God

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, 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.

1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NIV)

Becoming a Christian to receive forgiveness for our sins and be saved is not the end of the salvation process that God has offered us in Jesus Christ. Although He has declared us righteous and holy, this does not make us perfectly holy, that is, without sin. His declaration cleanses us from all sin that could prevent us from standing in His presence. But we have a role to play in this process: living in obedience to His word. This is what will allow us to know His will and submit to it.

Our submission to God's word is what pleases Him most. Not because we become perfect by doing so, but because our obedience to His word demonstrates our reverence for Him and our respect for His precepts. It is also what helps us progress step by step in the process of sanctification. To be a Christian is to live in God's ways, according to His will. This is a way of life that a Christian should never abandon. For the day he strays from this path, he also distances himself from God and His plan of salvation for his life.

The Christian life has its ups and downs. Sometimes you will feel strong in your faith and ready to face all kinds of difficulties, and sometimes you will feel that even God has abandoned you. That's normal! There are moments of joy and moments of sadness. But the important thing is to stay on the right path. For by doing so, instead of always feeling weak in difficult times, God's word within you will encourage you to move forward by faith and not give up. Like Paul with the Thessalonian Christians, I urge you to remain in the word and submit to it, for God will one day reveal to you the joy He takes in you.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.