Pleasing God

“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. And you must always obey the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good. [Deuteronomy 10.12-13]

Bottom line: "...live in a way that pleases Him..."

What did that way of pleasing God look like? Well, for starters, it involved obeying commandments. It also involved "all-in" service to Him.

Here's the deal: God never changes, right?

Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law. [Romans 3.31]

We sometimes think that the way Israel pleased God was through obedience and sacrifices. But, you know what? That is NOT what pleased God! What pleased God in the obedience and sacrifices was the faith exercised in so doing!

The reason God became weary with Israel's Tabernacle/Temple protocol was because it became separated from faith. Israel was 'going through the motions' without a pleasing relationship of faith in God.

What the Church today needs to remember is that obedience and righteousness are still required by God! God Himself tore the veil in the Temple at Jesus' death to signify that the way of faith through sacrifices and ritual was no longer required. The new way of faith through Jesus' obedience and sacrificial death became the more perfect way. The thing that did not change was that faith is the only way to please God!

I encourage you to read Hebrews 11. It has always been faith that pleases God! In the Old Covenant, sacrifices were required, but it was faith exercised in the execution of the sacrifices and rituals that pleased God. This is precisely why Abraham was able to please God long before the Law and its necessary ritual even existed!

For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” [Romans 4.3]

To please God, we must get, and remain, in faith.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. [Hebrews 11.6]

Father, may I be found in faith...