Making Sure God's Pleased
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How do I know I'm in the right place?
Every Christian who is faithfully lining up his or her way of living with God's Word has asked him or herself this question at one time or another:
"How do I know God's pleased with what I'm doing?"
Sometimes the condemnation of others and more sinisterly self-condemnation can dupe well-meaning Christians into believing God has a problem with them. It's hard to believe God is eager to answer your prayer and fulfil every void in your life if you think He has a problem with you. First things first, God doesn't want anyone to perish:
2 Peter 3:9 (King James Version)
9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
What this verse is saying using is God isn't slow, or dragging his feet concerning what He's promised us, but endures our shortcomings willingly and patiently since He doesn't want anybody to be destroyed. What He wants is for everybody to come to the point where they change their minds about following Satan's deceptive and broad path to destruction (MT 7:13) and instead follow God's path to life and peace (ROM 8:6). However, God can't do this for us, so imagine His level of frustration -- surely everybody has come in contact with someone who's heading down the wrong path; the frustration with the person refusing to heed your warnings when you know they're headed off a cliff can be tremendous! This is the exact position God is in with us because He knows the ending from the beginning. True appreciation for God's longsuffering comes into light because we have a 24/7 Mediator with the Father who lives to intercede on our behalf whenever we need it (HEB 7:25) -- so God's prepared to offer His help the moment we get tired of driving off the cliff.
The most important aspect to assurance we're in the right place with God is having the right motives for the things we do. Let's visit I SAM 16:7:
1 Samuel 16:7 (King James Version)
7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
God is looking at why you do what you do MUCH MORE than just what you do. There are plenty people who do the right things for all the wrong reasons. Paul covers the pitfalls regarding those who fit into that category marvelously in I COR 13. The only one besides yourself who can be sure of your motives is God. So if you're wondering if you're headed in the right direction, check your motives. If your actions are motivated solely by selfish gain -- even if they're the right ones -- you're a prime candidate for self-deception, meaning wrongfully thinking you're in the right place because you're doing the right things.
Galatians 6:7-8 (King James Version)
7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Our motives ultimately move us in one of two directions: towards God, or away from God. "For God so loved the world that He gave . . ." -- we have to start by asking ourselves, "God, I love you -- so am I giving you enough to show that I love you?" And that's just the start -- we have to HONESTLY ANSWER that question, and be willing to make the practical adjustments so our actions begin to line up with our desired answer.
Now, we can start claiming PS 37:4 -- delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. This word 'delight' means we have to become excessively critical, demanding, and caring concerning how we present ourselves to God; this comes from studying His Word, doing His Word, and enhancing our spiritual health through networking with those who are trying to do the same thing.
And once we prove we have the audacity to trust God amidst countless turmoil and earthly uncertainties, we can ask what we will, and it SHALL BE DONE unto us.
John 15:7 (King James Version)
7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Keep cultivating your faith for it is a good fight that's already won. God has told us we've got something greater inside of us (I JN 4:4) -- whether we take full advantage of that rests solely on us . . .
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Comments
Thank you, sir.
You are so right on! It's wonderful to see you on HubPages! You've got a fan! And thank you so much for becoming a fan of mine; I am honored. God bless His ministry through you. May we all stand together, not wavering in our faith and trusting God to renew our hearts by transforming our minds to His glory in all things!!
You've got that right, Judah's Daughter. We all have to stick together. We don't get a complete picture of Christ's body until we all come together -- my lil piece, your lil piece, and so on and so forth. Iron will never be sharpened unless it comes in contact with another piece of iron; it can't sharpen itself. And there is PLENTY of iron on hubpages.com.
Glad I saw your comments to Cag's on the forum, 'cos you write a good message!
Welcome to the Hub!
That old serpent tempts the soul along the wrong path for many. The choice is very simple. Positive or negative?
Appreciate that, aguasilver -- just offering Cag another way to look at things. LOL.
And that choice is a LOT simpler than people realize, TheAllSeeingEye. Problem is it's so simple, most don't even realize they're already doing it . . .
That is an amazingly golden piece, and so on-time. The Bible also says there is a way that seems right to a man, but the end therefore is death...just because something seems like its the right thing to do, doesn't mean that it is in God's eyes! I struggle with my "I" in sin also, and making sure that my plan and God's plan line up. It can be struggle sometimes but I know I can do it!
LaMont, this is another excellent representation of the teacher you are. I pray you receive an opportunity to share your heart in more prosperous ways.
HOW DO WE KNOW THAT GOD IS PLEASE WITH WHAT WE ARE DOING? WE ALL NEED TO EXAMINE OURSELVES AND SEE IF WE ARE WORTHY OF GOD ALMIGHTY. WE NEED TO LOOK AT OUR PRIORITIES AND REARRANGE THEM, IF NEEDED, TO PLEASE GOD. WE MAY NOT BE DOING ALL WE SHOULD TO HELP SOMEONE ELSE TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR GOALS IN PLEASING GOD. EXACTLY LAMONT, OUR GOALS ARE TO HELP EACH OTHERS TO UP BUILD NOT TO TEAR DOWN.
That's right, nursebetty. We shouldn't be happy at anyone's misfortune for any reason because we're not being Christ-like when we do that -- Christ came to be a benefit to the world. We're the salt, and what good are we without seasoning or if we lose our quality of preserving the world?
Make Money says:
5 weeks ago
Nice Hub lgolden1911. Mike