Fully Pleasing Him

Col. 1 :10 says have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. As Paul began to write the letter to the Colossian brethren he related to them his continuous prayers for their growth in God. He prayed for their good conduct, and that they be fully pleasing to God. How much thought in everyday life do we give to pleasing God? More importantly, not just pleasing Him, but fully pleasing Him?

Fully pleasing God means that we must do our best for Him – always—in all things. Taking a part in the Lord’s army involves the commitment to go above and beyond our "comfort zone". Serving Him involves self-sacrifice. Jesus said if anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (Lk. 9:22) Are you doing your best in the capacities in which you have an ability to serve? Are you constantly looking for more opportunities to glorify Christ? Perhaps getting involved in the workings of the congregation is something needed in your life. Maybe you have the need to overcome a personal "vice" that will require extra effort on your part. Could you have "slacked off" a little on the job and compromised your influence for Christ? In all of these areas we must commit to fully pleasing God. God demands nothing less than our best. After all, He gave us His Son Jesus so that we can have hope of salvation. (1 Pet. 1:18-24)

Fully pleasing God involves wholehearted service. Half hearted service profits one nothing. It is simply a waste of time. Malachi 1:6-8; 13 details the rejection by God of the Israelites apathetic worship practices. They were content to give God the leftovers and the second best of their flocks for offerings. Christians must be careful not to get the idea of just doing what is required and nothing else. How many come to services just to meet some kind of attendance requirement? Have you ever/do you now feel that you have to come to services or someone is going to be upset with you? If so, you’ve missed the point of worshipping God. God wants you at worship because you want to be there—praising, thanking, serving Him! Are you wholeheartedly committed to staying out of sin? Are you wholeheartedly determined to show God the respect and honor that is due Him? Christianity is much more than a series of "Thou Shalt Nots." We are to serve Him out of faith—genuinely thankful for His mercy and love for us. (1 Jhn. 3:16)