QT 5/23/2025 2 Cor 5:6–10, What does it mean to please God?

2 Corinthians 5:6–10 (ESV) —

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

 

NOTE: There is a movement out there, among certain Christian groups, to obey the OT law. The individuals argue that this pleases God. Of course, there is a tendency in these groups to pick and choose among the 613 commands. Well, most of what we might call moral law ( is repeated in the new covenant, although it is also summed up in two commands, love God and love people. And the great news of the cross, is that we cannot increase God's love for us by even a smidgen. Paul writes to the Romans, that nothing can separate us for God's love and then goes to great flourish to say how great and deep and wide is God's love. So maybe we need to define 'please.' We are not increasing the love of God by any action, we are already completely loved and we can REST in that love. There is not a really good human example, maybe children -- I love my children greatly and there is not much that could ever change that (unlike God's love which is perfect), but there are things that they can do, and do, that please me. But my love does not increase, but it does bring joy to my heart. Following the OT law does not sound like this type of joy. But loving God by making him first in my daily routines, and sacrificing for my neighbor, these are things which please God and put a smile on his face (using a human example). Let's drop the rules and start with a relationship with God on an everyday basis.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I meet with God every day in his word to listen to him and respond in prayer?
2. Do I take actions to help or support my neighbor in their hour of need?

 

PRAYER: Father, I am still in this body and someday I will be with you in my new body. This old body is wasting away. I can tell. I look forward to my resurrected body. I hope to live to see the rapture of my soul and the uniting with my new body. But, as long as I am here, I wish to use my life according to your will. I want to be a great witness of a man that as he grows older, continues to grow in the grace of Jesus. Protect me from discouragement and the world. I have put you first in my life, and I will continue to do so, by your mercy and grace.