There's a saying in the world of pro wrestling that goes a bit like this. "If you're not in this business in order to become world champion then you don't need to be in this business." It in a way translates to the Christian life. See if you're not in it to please God then you need to have a check up as to where your focus lies and why it is askew.
I was reading recently and this verse stood out to me. Paul was remembering his visit to the Thessalonians and defending the things that were said and done during that time and I want you catch his purpose. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 "For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts." Then in chapter 4:1 "Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more." Early on when this life group was starting there was a lady who signed up and I said this was a Bible Study with it's main goal being to glorify God and she remarked that it seemed too serious. That scares me that someone would be part of a bible study and not want to glorify God. Like a wrestler trying to obtain the top prize we as followers of God should want to glorify God and know him more.
In Romans 12:1-2 we see what that looks like. "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-- the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
Peter and the apostles understood this because they were threatened by Jewish leaders to stop talking about Jesus and they had the perfect response. Acts 5:29-32
My question to you the reader is seeking to please God too serious or are you content to be merely a Man pleaser I personally would rather please God.
God takes people following him very seriously he wants us to give him nothing less than our all. In Revelation 3:14-16 he deals harshly with the church of Laodicea. They were just playing church and using it as a social club. "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen--the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's new creation. 'I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold, I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!'" Joshua 24:14-15 "14“So fear the LORD and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD alone. 15But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” Make up your mind who you're going to follow and be serious about it!!!!
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