06 March - Living in Order to Please God
“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
How should we live to please God? Jesus gave us an answer in Matthew 22:36-40, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and “Love your neighbour as yourself.” He went on to say, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
In our daily lives, however, things can be more complex. In the coming days you will read about keeping yourself pure, loving the brothers and sisters in Christ, living a simple life, supporting yourself with your work, avoiding being dependent on anyone else.
Danny Quah, a well-known professor of Economics, has recently been presenting on “Alternative Geometries of World Order”. He says, “Whether it's along axes of prestige or power (hard, soft, smart), once you start thinking who's no. 1 or no. 2, you're trapped in a linear hierarchy.” Instead, he discusses networks and other geometries for ways in which we should think about the relative importance of nations.
In the same way, we as Christians need an alternative geometry for thinking about how we are doing in God’s kingdom. Both Jesus and the writers of the Epistles make it clear that the usual human measures of wealth, children, status in society, outward appearance, even status in church count for nothing in God’s eyes. Instead, we are called to be holy, righteous and loving. Loving to everyone, not just those who are “like us”, not just those who are “like minded”, not just those who can be useful to us.
Jesus’ geometry is upside down. The first shall be last, and the last first. Seat yourself in the humble place on the table (but don’t refuse if you’re called up to the honourable place). Lead by serving. Seek to give, not to accumulate. See suffering as a blessing (because it will help to make us holy).
But, at the same time, Jesus calls us to be wise, to be good stewards of the blessings we have been granted, the talents we have been given. We shouldn’t lock ourselves away like hermits or closed religious orders. Jesus went out into the world to share the Gospel, and so should we!
PONDER
How can I live to please God, in my particular situation, at this time?
PROMISE
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:6-8)
PRAYER
Lord God, I pray that you will show me clearly how I – personally – should live to please you. Lord, you know my circumstances, my strengths, my weaknesses. Please allow me to be used as you will, to your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Article by Mr Edward Clayton, a lay reader at All Souls’ International Community Church, Kuala Lumpur. He is a Partner in PwC Malaysia’s advisory practice, a Malaysia PR holder and the Chairman of Navigate Together, a ministry serving Third Culture Kids in Kuala Lumpur.