Every believer is concerned about
this question. I do not think it is beyond reason or revelation to say that
this is the heart prayer and desire of every child of God. While we live in
this world, we want to please and honor the God of all grace. Is there any
clear, biblical answer to this question: How can I please and honor God?
Many tell us
that in order to please God we must PHYSICALLY SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM THE
WORLD. Every believer understands that God's children are to be separate
and distinct from the unbelieving world. We live by principles, motives, and
desires that the world can never comprehend. But if all it takes to please God
is to alter our dress code, change our outward habits, and live in seclusion
from the world then anyone can please him. It takes only self-discipline, not
grace. Moralists and monks have been doing these things for centuries.
Others tell us
that to honor God we must LIVE BY THE LAW OF GOD. It is true, if anyone
could live by the law, God would be pleased with him, for that man would live
in sinlessness and righteousness. He would be a perfect man. But God can never
be pleased with a mere attempt to live by the law, no matter how sincere that
man may be who tries to do so.
Some
tell us that the way to please and honor God is to LIVE A HOLY LIFE.
That would be a great thing. But who can do it? Of course, everyone has his own
standards of holiness. Some even think they really do live in holiness. But the
only true standard of holiness is God himself. When holiness is understood, we
see the utter futility of trying to perform holiness for ourselves.
We do not need
to search for an answer to this question: How can I please and honor God? We
need no longer be confused by the confused opinions of men. The Lord has not
left us in darkness. WE PLEASE GOD AND HONOR GOD BY FAITH. All who
believe Christ, trusting his righteousness, his blood, his providence, his
grace, and his intercession please and honor God, for God is pleased with his
Son.