Pleasing God

An essential aspect of the life of believers that is more than a matter of external observance, but a total and heartfelt commitment to God.

Pleasing God is commanded

Romans 12:1; Ephesians 5:8–10 See also 2 Corinthians 5:9; Galatians 6:8; Colossians 1:10, Colossians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 1 Timothy 2:1–3, 1 Timothy 5:4

Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Test and prove what pleases the Lord.

It is more important to please God than to please people

Galatians 1:10, Galatians 1:15–16; 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Pleasing God involves inward attitudes, not simply external observance

1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalm 51:16–17; Romans 14:17–18 See also Psalm 5:4, Psalm 69:30–31, Psalm 147:10–11, Psalm 149:4; Proverbs 11:20, Proverbs 12:22, Proverbs 15:8; Ecclesiastes 5:4; Isaiah 1:11–13; Ezekiel 18:23, Ezekiel 33:11; Haggai 1:7; Malachi 2:13–14; Romans 8:8; Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; Hebrews 11:6

I know, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness. All these things I have given willingly and with an upright heart, and now I have seen Your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to You.

For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. For whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

Sacrifices and duties please God when carried out with the right attitude

Exodus 29:18; Philippians 4:18 See also Exodus 29:25, Exodus 29:41; Leviticus 1:9, Leviticus 3:5; Numbers 15:3, Numbers 29:2; Ezra 6:10; Hebrews 13:16

Then burn the entire ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD.

I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

Results of pleasing God

Psalm 37:23 See also 1 Kings 10:9; Job 33:26; Proverbs 16:7; Ecclesiastes 2:26, Ecclesiastes 7:26

The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his journey.

Examples of actions that please God

Prayer

Proverbs 15:8

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

Doing God's will

Hebrews 13:20–21 See also Matthew 7:21; Ephesians 6:6; 1 John 2:17

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Examples of those concerned to pleased God by their actions

Nehemiah 5:19; Psalm 19:14 See also Exodus 32:11; Nehemiah 13:31; Psalm 90:17, Psalm 104:34; Daniel 9:17

Remember me favorably, O my God, for all that I have done for this people.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Examples of people who pleased God

The example of Jesus Christ

Matthew 3:17 parallels Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22 See also Matthew 17:5; John 5:30, John 8:29; Colossians 1:19; 2 Peter 1:17

And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”

Other examples

Genesis 6:8 Noah; Exodus 33:12–13, Exodus 33:17; Deuteronomy 33:23 Naphtali; 1 Samuel 2:26 Samuel; 1 Kings 3:10 Solomon; Luke 1:30 Mary; Hebrews 11:5 Enoch