Learning to Please God

What you Should Know

When we first come to Christ and say yes to Jesus, your life does not immediately change for the best from one day to the next.  There’s a process we must go through to experience transformation in our lives.  This is hard for Baby Christians or new believers to accept because  we have grown accustomed to instant gratification and want it all now.  Sorry to ruin the surprise, but that’s not how God works in most situations.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had a front row seat to witness and know that God does perform miracles, but that is not the norm.  Don’t be misled or disillusioned by thinking that saying yes to God leads to a sprinkling of fairy dust that makes all of your problems or imperfections disappear.  That is simply not true. I’m here to tell you that you will need to play an active role in your own transformation as a believer.

What the Bible Tells us

Paul tell us this in 1 Thessalonians 4 3-8

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him.  The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told and warned you.  For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.  Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.”

What Paul is telling us here is that we are to work out our own salvation.  Meaning that achieving holiness or living a sinless life is not something that you merely pray for as you come to Christ.  There is action and accountability that one must take to become holy.  Yes the Holy Spirit has a role in aiding this process of sanctification, but the responsibility is also on the believer.  “Learn to control your own body in a way this is holy and honorable”, says Paul.  Control means to influence or direct the behavior of.  Grab hold of the physical and emotional urges that you have and don’t be led by them.  Take control of your life and fully expect that God and the Holy Spirit will help you as you commit to a new way of living.

Why Change is Difficult

There are things in our lives that are unhealthy and don’t serve us.  Through life circumstances, difficult situations, bad decisions, or painful experiences, unhealthy habits and behavior have latched onto us.  Like a parasite attaching itself to a host.  We may not recognize what it is or what to call it.  These sinful behaviors, or addictions are robbing us of the spiritual nutrition and fruits that God promises us, and that we so desperately need. The absence of spiritual fruits (i.e., joy, peace, kindness, love) in our life can leave us feeling empty.  If you have a desire for more, then you must remove these parasites from your body.

The unhealthy habits and behaviors that we’ve allowed to creep into our live can become so powerful in influencing us that they can shape our identity. Over time our identity (the way we see ourselves) becomes the lens in which we see the world.  If we are to grow in Christ and become a new creation, we are to change the way we view of ourselves and the world.  God and the Holy Spirit through their divine process of transformation will give us a new identity.

Two Steps for Believers

Step 1:

You must deny yourself and starve that part that wishes to control you.  It’s not easy to to change human behavior or habits.  If it were, our world would be more peaceful. Many of the problems we face today are self created.  They exist simply because we lack the ability to discipline our bodies and minds in a way that is holy and pleasing to God.  Think of the harm that lack of self control has caused in our society.  Think of the violence and horrible offenses people have committed because they never learned this basic life skill.  It is healthy to have self-discipline and emotional regulation.  It is critical to learn this when one is young because it will become increasingly difficult as we get older.  Some people never learn this, and will suffer the consequences of it even in old age.

Step 2:

Be consistent and continue to choose God.  You know right from wrong, and if you don’t the more you spend time in his presence and in his word reading the bible, the will Holy Spirit will teach you.  As you learn this, simply make a choice to be obedient and choose God.  Choose the things that support life, and do not feed your sinful nature or old habits.  Start by making better decisions the best you know how. In the end it comes down to choice you make.

Final Thoughts

Paul said it best in Philippians 4:8-9

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.  9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.

I pray that this word encourages you and as always,

“May the Lord bless you and keep you.  May his face shine upon you, and give you peace.”