Thursday, November 3, 2011

How to Please God

Part 3

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6

The Infinite God knows where you are. He knows what you think, what you say and what you do. He does not forget. He does not get your thoughts and words and actions out of context. By definition; an Infinite God can give an infinite amount of attention to an infinite number of people. It is not difficult for Him.

He doesn’t have to seek for us, He knows where we are. He does not have to search for us to call us to account for what we have done with the life He has given us. He knows where we live.

In the distant future one thing will be clear: He will be in the company of those who have faith in what He says. He will be accompanied by those who want to trust Him. He will be attended by those who have suffered the consequences of living in a world that has rejected Him, and have chosen to trust Him instead of the apathetic and unbelieving world they are willing to leave behind.

Read about the lives of the people in Hebrews chapter 11. You will see that this is true.

Everyone acts on what they believe. Our thoughts, words and actions are the result of ‘what’ or ‘who’ we put our faith ‘in’.

Why should God let you find Him if you are just ‘curious’ about Him? We can be He would ‘curious’ about many things. But seeking God requires the awareness that He must be worshiped if He is found. Our attitude as we seek Him is critical. He will know our attitude.

Why should God let you find Him if your search is really to disprove His existence? He is calling to those who WANT Him to exist. He is calling to those who will worship Him when they find Him. He is more real than you are. Why should He prove Himself to you? Must God meet your terms to receive your approval? Such an attitude will fail. He will know.

Why should God let you find Him if you seek Him as if He were merely your equal? What terms for a ‘bargain’ do you hold in your heart? Are you (we) such a marvelous treasure that He should rejoice over your approval of who He is? He is Holy and Perfect and Infinite and Eternal. We are unholy and far-from-perfect and finite in significance and brief. We are not seeking our equal; we are seeking the Holy Creator of everything. He will know.

Why should God let you find Him if you seek Him without the humility of admitting you have sinned? If you look into the lives of those folks in Hebrews chapter 11 who were commended for their faith you will see that they were frail and often failed. They sought forgiveness for their sin. They trusted God’s love and forgiveness; but they never, never, considered themselves worthy before God. Seeking God is seeking your Judge, and the guilty verdict is already known. Seek God with the humility that is looking for mercy and forgiveness. Seek Him with a willingness to repent of the sin that offends the Infinite Judge.

To which ‘seeker’ will God reveal Himself?

“But this is the one to whom I (God) will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”  Isaiah 66:2b

There are consequences to being ‘made’ by God, and ‘owned’ by God, and being ‘accountable’ to God. Whether we know it or not; or whether we like it or not: He will do just what He wants to do with us.

The Father (God) loves the Son (Jesus Christ) and has given all things into His hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.  John 3:35, 36

The following Scripture is longer than I typically use; but it is worth your careful, prayerful, consideration!

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:25-30

God is with you right now. Talk to Him (that is what ‘prayer’ is!). Call out to Him with faith, humility, and the awareness that you need forgiveness from the Eternal Judge of all mankind. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Ask Him to forgive your sin. Ask Him to change you into what He wants you to become. Keep seeking Him until you find Him.

As questions arise, find the answers. 

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