Imagine a person having an opportunity to live a life that is pleasing to God. Thanks to God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, this is available to us. In Hebrews, chapter 11, we read about a man, named Enoch. There is not much recorded in the Bible about this wonderful man, but what is recorded is quite revealing.
Hebrews 11:5-6 [ESV]
By faith, Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
It is interesting to note that the name Enoch, in Hebrew, means dedicated, trained and vowed, profound, and disciplined. Enoch’s life had been well-pleasing to God. Why? How? Genesis 5:22 and 24, record that Enoch walked with God.
Genesis 6:9 records that Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah also walked with God. Interestingly, Noah’s name means rest, peace, and comfort; which may also describe him, his relatives, and animals’ time within the protection of the ark that he constructed during the time of the flood as recorded in Genesis. By the freedom of their will, they believed walked with God, and as a result, their lives were well-pleasing to God.
1 Thessalonians 2:4 [KJV]
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing [areskō: be pleasing to, be acceptable to] men, but God, which trieth [examines, proves] our hearts[motives].
What a wonderful joy and privilege we have to walk with our heavenly Father, God; as spirit-filled sons and daughters; doing those things which are well-pleasing in His sight. May the following scriptures be a great reminder of our father’s will and intent for our lives.
Philippians 2:13 [Expanded Bible]
Because God is working in you ·to help you want to do and be able to do [ L both to will/desire and to work] what pleases him.
Romans 12:1-2 [Amplified Bible]
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
Hebrews 13:20-21 [KJV]
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
In closing, may we be ever mindful that Jesus provided us with a loving example, which we can follow and emulate. He walked in loving obedience doing things that ALWAYS pleased his God and Father.
“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him” – John 8:29 NIV (Bible Gateway)
“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,[a] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:16-17
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