May 4th, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

How To Please God

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Opening Prayer

Lord of light, in company with all who turn towards You, I worship and honor You now.

Read Hebrews 13:1-25

[1] Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. [2] Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. [3] Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. [4] Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. [5] Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” [6] So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” [7] Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. [8] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. [9] Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. [10] We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat. [11] The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. [12] And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. [13] Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. [14] For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. [15] Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. [16] And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. [17] Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. [18] Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. [19] I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon. [20] Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, [21] equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. [22] Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly. [23] I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. [24] Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. [25] Grace be with you all.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“Laying aside the fear of death, let us think on the eternal life to come. Through this knowledge, let us demonstrate that we are what we believe” (Cyprian, martyr, 200-258 A.D.).

Think Further

Faith has a daily shape that should please God. It is not passive but active in its devotion to God and in its good deeds. This practical chapter touches on everyday matters such as the avoidance of sin and the pursuit of good. The believer must consciously and resolutely move away from sexual immorality (4), greed (5), empty ritualism (9), insubordination (17), and worldliness (14). Living by faith is not just avoiding sin, but also actively seeking to do good (Eph. 2:10). Believers must be hospitable (2) and prayerful (18), and should imitate the faith of mature Christians in showing that they are waiting for the heavenly city (14). They should share what they have with others and thereby please God (16).

All the above is bracketed by two instructions: (1) “Continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise” (15), and (2) “Keep on loving each other” (1). One is directed vertically while the other is horizontal, and both are to be continually present in our lives. They are lifetime directives. If we continue in them, we bring delight and pleasure to God. All this happens not by self-effort but by faith, faith in the great Shepherd of the sheep. It is through him that the Father enables us to do God’s will, and through his work in us that the Father is pleased (21). It is because he is working in us that we are able to do good works that please God (16).

Therefore, what pleases God is Christ’s work in us and, consequently, his work through us (shown in our good works). Such a life of faith pleases our heavenly Father (John 5:30).  From the beginning to the end, it is lived by faith in the grace of God who will perfectly complete what he has begun (Phil. 1:6).

Apply

Reflect on what it means for you to continue in the two things mentioned above. How will you do so today?

Closing prayer

Loving Lord Jesus, in light of all You have done for me, I want to praise You and to show Your love to others. Use me for Your glory.

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