How to Please God - God’s Goodness in Romans 8, Part 4


The default attitude of mankind toward God is one of rebellion. We follow God only when it is convenient or He caters to our whims. But if God doesn’t do what we want Him to do or He doesn’t fulfill our desires, then we are quick to turn our backs to Him. This attitude is not pleasing to God.
However, there is an attitude that pleases God, according to the Apostle Paul in Romans 8.5-8:
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires;but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.”
The attitude that pleases God is one of submission and faith. When we allow our hearts to follow the Spirit’s leading, then good actions will follow and we can live a lifestyle that is pleasing to God.
Or, in the words of our Lord and Savior, “Thy will, not mine, be done.” And if we follow God’s will, then we can experience true life and peace.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How I Almost Got Eaten By A Hawk

Image
Many of you know I walk daily. Doesn't matter where; I just like to walk. Sometimes my paths are so random that I find myself suddenly walk. Might have to watch out for that when I get old.  Anyway, today I was walking on a sidewalk (of all places!), daydreaming and not really paying attention, when all of a sudden a monster made a lunge at me from three feet away! Well, it wasn't really a monster. It was a hawk. And it didn't really try to eat me. It was simply drinking from a nice puddle three feet in front of me. But still, I got within three feet of a hawk! When it noticed me, it fluttered its wings and flew ten feet away to a nearby branch, and that's when I first noticed it. Of course, since it moved away so suddenly I thought it was a monster trying to eat me, but when I got over being scared and stared at it on the branch I realized it was a beautiful, lovely, and deadly hawk.  And of course, I did not have a camera. And I didn't have one of those ...
Read more

What Has God Rescued You From?

So he brought his people out of Egypt with joy,    his chosen ones with rejoicing. Psalm 105:43 NLT When you read the Old Testament, you see a consistent theme throughout its pages: God rescues His people. Specifically, God rescued the Israelite people from slavery in Egypt over three thousand years ago. Yet throughout their history as a nation, the Israelites were constantly reminded of this one central event that showed God is good. They were rescued from slavery to enter the glorious freedom God offers to those who call upon Him. When Jesus came to Earth, His death on the cross replaced the Exodus as God’s central redeeming act in history. Jesus’ death set us free from the bondage of sin and the threat of eternal death in Hell. He made us dead to sin and alive to God, free to love Him in gratitude. Jesus is the greatest rescuer in all of history! Today, God still rescues people. He is able to rescue anyone from anything: addiction, depression, fear,...
Read more

Need Help? Ask God

Who do you go to when you need help? A friend?  A family member?  A stranger? The Ghostbusters? While all of these may offer help, with the possible exception of the last, there is One whom you should always seek help from first and foremost.  "My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2 When a problem arises, do you first go to God in prayer?  Do you first ask Him for His help?  That is not to say people can be of no help at all (although sometimes they are!) But while some people may be unwilling to help, God is always willing to answer your call. Or while some people may be unable to help, God is able!  No problem is too big or too little for God. What do you currently need help with in life? Ask God. 
Read more