A Life That Pleases God

Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received!

2 Peter 1:3 - MSG

Hhhmmm… a life pleasing to God. Perhaps that should be the goal of every Christian. And it is certainly an attainable one. After all, today’s verse tells us that everything we need to live this kind of life has been miraculously given to us by God.

But there’s a qualifier, a caveat that we need to consider. It is as we come to know God personally and intimately—by accepting the invitation God has given us—that we can begin to experience the life and godliness He has made available to us.

So, what has been given to us “miraculously?” Let’s start with the fruit of the Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit lives within us, God has made His Spirit’s fruit available to us—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. As we yield to His Spirit and choose to live out these qualities, we begin to live the kind of life that pleases God.

We could stop there, but let’s talk more about the invitation. Whenever we receive an invitation, we are asked to “RSVP.” That means we need to respond. It means telling the sender of the invitation whether or not we are going to accept.

And yes, we have to accept the invitation God has given us to know Him personally and intimately if we are going to experience the life and godliness He has made available to us.

But accepting His invitation doesn’t mean we suddenly have to figure out how to live this life on our own. It takes strength to live out what God is working in us. And that strength is His strength.

You see, there is a kind of strength you will never find by looking inside yourself. Human effort can carry you for a while, but it eventually runs thin. Willpower wavers. Resolve weakens. Even your best intentions can’t produce the kind of godliness your heart longs for.

Yet God Himself supplies everything we need for both life and godliness. Nothing essential is missing. Nothing depends on our ability to manufacture spiritual power.

His divine power is the source. The strength that enables us to stand firm, love well, endure hardship, resist temptation and grow in holiness comes from Him. And He gives it freely through our relationship with Jesus Christ.

As you know Him more deeply, you begin to experience what He has already made available to you: wisdom for your decisions, courage for your battles, purity when temptation comes, patience for your frustrations, and grace for your weaknesses.

You are not trying to become godly by straining harder. You are becoming godly by receiving from the One who has already supplied what you need. His glory and goodness draw you forward, shaping you into the likeness of the One who called you.

So today, rest in this truth: You are not walking with borrowed strength. You are walking with supplied strength—strength rooted in the very power of God.

Lean into Him. Depend on Him. Trust what He has already given you.

Everything you need to live the life He has called you to live is already yours in Christ.

You can live a life pleasing to God.

Prayer

Father, thank You for giving me everything I need to live the life You’ve called me to live. I confess how often I try to rely on my own strength, my own discipline, and my own resolve.

Today I choose to rest in Your divine power instead. Teach me to draw from what You’ve already provided in Christ. Let Your glory shape my character, Your goodness steady my steps, and Your presence deepen my trust.

Strengthen me where I am weak, guide me where I am unsure, and remind me that I am never without Your help. Help me yield to Your Spirit and allow His fruit to be evident in my life.

I receive Your grace for this day.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

_________________________________________________________________________________

For Continued Reflection

Continue your journey with God through my collection of Free Devotional Booklets. These booklets are written to help you in your walk with the Lord. They are free, downloadable, Scripture-centered booklets designed to encourage you in your faith and strengthen your walk with Him. I invite you to explore the growing collection.

An Invitation

Would you like to receive daily devotionals in your email inbox? You’re welcome to subscribe on the Connect With Me page. It’s simply a peaceful way to stay encouraged each day.