Living To Please God

Scripture Reading:  Romans 8

Focus Verses:  Romans 8:5-8   "Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.  So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.  For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.  That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God."

Living a life that pleases God can seem like a difficult thing.  And for some people it is.  They try to live according to a list of rules, trying to obtain God's favor through acts of kindness or compassion.  No one has ever kept all of God's commandments, except for Christ.  On our own we could never live a life that pleased God because we relied on our human - sinful nature.  Romans chapter 8 teaches us that we can live a life that is pure and pleasing to God.  The beginning verse explains that a relationship with Jesus Christ frees us from sin through the power of the Holy Spirit.  The only way to be free from sin is to be "bound" to Jesus.  We become a slave to Christ.  Not because we have to, but because we want to.  We want to serve Him.

That old sinful nature will continue to try and take control of our lives at times through thoughts that lead to sinful actions.  But if you are following the leading of the Holy Spirit you will serve God out of love and gratitude.  Your service will not be motivated by a desire to earn God's approval, but will be motivated by a desire to be closer to Jesus and bring Him the honor He deserves.  We know we already have God's approval by what Jesus did for us on the cross, if we have accepted His forgiveness of our sins.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries