November 15th - The Simple Way to Please God

“…we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.” (1 Timothy 4:10)

God does not require anything from humanity in order to save them. He saves them because He loves His  creation. 

"...God is Love (agape)..." (1 John 4:8)

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:10) 

The Greek word for the love of God is "agape". Chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians is often referred to as "the love chapter" - you should read it to get a feel for what love is.

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." (1 Corinthians 13:1)

For me, the meaning of "agape" (love) is to do for others what they CANNOT do for themselves - and expect NOTHING from them in return. That is the way God loves humanity. 

Nevertheless, God passed judgment on the sin of Adam - and that judgment was death!

"...from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you must not eat from it; for in the day you eat from it, to die you shall be dying." (Genesis 2:17)

"...even as through one human sin entered into the world, and through sin death, and thus death passed through into all humanity..." (Romans 5:12)

"...it is reserved to humanity to be dying once...” (Hebrews 9:27)

"For the wages of sin is death, BUT, the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

In spite of the judgment of death, there will be life AFTER death! And this new life is a "free gift" to humanity because the very essence of God is Love; and Love, in my view, does for others what they are unable to do for themselves AND without expecting anything in return. 

So, God sent His Son to die as the "atoning sacrifice" for the sins of humanity, and His Son Jesus will return again to save humanity from death just as He Himself was saved from death when God raised Him from the dead...

"...if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate before the Father - Jesus Christ, the righteous One. He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins; and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)

"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him...while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son...." (Romans 5:8-10)

"We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6)

"...Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a human came death, by a human also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

The Bible gives humanity some ways to show God our appreciation for the salvation He has promised.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all humanity, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession...” (Titus 2:11-14)

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you? To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12)

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

Maybe pleasing God is not always easy - but it is SIMPLE.