Are You Pleased?

I walked away from a conversation at the beginning of the week feeling like a loser.  Why did I feel like a loser?  The person had made one remark that felt like a put down, and I came to the conclusion that I was not pleasing them.  I struggled hard as the accuser (Revelation 12:9-10) used this conversation to bombard me with all the reasons I should give up, quit, walk away from what I was trying to do. It's ironic that one of my thoughts shortly after the conversation was, "oh well, everyone's a critic."  I know I can't please everyone.  If I try to please one person, the very thing I do to satisfy their wishes will offend or disappoint someone else.  Regardless of what I know, I let myself be taken down that dark and bumpy road. 

I started to pray about it.  What else could I do.  I was a mess.  I was discouraged and depressed, and I had no ability to change this persons view of me.  But praise be to God, when I asked for his help he reminded me that I don't have to please people. I knew this, but when God tells me something it means more than my knowledge.  He is truth.  What He says is.  The verse that I was lead to was Galatians 1:10  "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."  

As long as I am obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit who is always consistent with the written word,  I don't have to worry what anyone else thinks of me.  There are people who don't like me, the things I do, or sometimes just the way I do them.  I may feel sad sometimes, but I can have peace and joy knowing that God is pleased.  He's made me his child.  (John 1:12) I am an heir with Christ!  (Romans 8:17)  He helps me to do what is right, though sometimes I try to go it alone and I fail.  I am sinful and flawed, (Romans 3:23) but Christ has paid the debt for my sin (1 Corinthians 15:3-5), and the Holy Spirit is working in me to make me more like Christ as I walk with him (Romans 12:2).  I am under construction, and I won't be perfect until God calls me home (Philippians 1:6), then I will be a completely finished masterpiece. (1 Corinthians 15:51) 

My actions fall short of pleasing God, but He is pleased with me because he sees the righteousness of His Son.  (2 Corinthians 5:21)  As I strive in this world to be a pleasing aroma, let it be for God alone. (2 Corinthians 2:15)  I will be considerate of people to the best of my ability, but I will have to let go of trying to please them. (Romans 12:18) I will serve them as Christ taught me to, but if they reject me I am not responsible for that decision. (John 13:14) (John 15:18)  (Luke 10:16) I will live my life for Jesus who gave His life for me, and I will strive to please God and not man.  

So, don't answer the question in the title.  It really doesn't matter as long as God is pleased.  :)

Of Camels and Needles and Such

Have you ever heard the testimony of someone who turned to Christ and was delivered from a life of addiction or crime?  Do you know anyone who thinks that they are a good person and deserve to go to heaven?  There are times when I think some unbelievers who are obviously "bad" may have a spiritual advantage over others who have always been relatively "good."  That sounds outrageous, but let me explain.  No one deserves to go to heaven.  We all need a savior.  None of us is really good, but for some folks it is easier to see their need than others.  Jesus said, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."  (Mathew 19:24 NIV)  The rich man depends on his wealth and therefore overlooks his need for Jesus, and sometimes the "good" man does the same.  Anyone who depends on their own goodness to save them will be disappointed though.  Isaiah 64:6 says, "but we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade like the leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."  No one is an exception to this save Jesus who in His perfection was able to substitute himself for us as the Bible tells us.  "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."  (Isaiah 53:5)   The problem is that many people refuse to admit the guilt that they should be punished for, and will be punished for if they do not accept his gift of forgiveness.  "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them."  (John 3:36)  People who can plainly see the sin in their lives can repent, unlike those who think their offenses are inconsequential.  Telling a lie or spreading gossip is just as much of a sin as murder or robbery.  Sometimes we sin without even knowing it.  On our own we are held accountable for it all.  That is why I am so thankful Jesus came to save me.  In the sermon on the mount Jesus tells us that anyone who is angry with his brother without cause is in danger of judgement, and that looking at someone lustfully is adultery of the heart. (Matthew 5) No one is without sin, but there is a sinless Savior waiting to remove the guilt of those who are willing to admit their wrong and trust in Him.  Thank you, Jesus!