The Proper Aim of A Christian's Life # 2

The Proper Aim of A Christian's Life # 2

Just so with those who hoard up much, adding house to house, field to field, pound to pound - while the needs of the widow and the fatherless, and the funds of God's church are not supplied by them, if they were to ask, when making their purchases, or paying their money into the bank, "Is this pleasing to God?" - would they not often give more - and hoard less? We think so. And would not the reflection be more pleasing on a sick bed or dying pillow? We think it would.

We all have influence, and in the case of a contested election, or in order to carry some party question - we prove that we have. We can influence some, it may be many. We can influence them for good or for evil.

Now, in making use of our influence for worldly objects, and in withholding it from spiritual objects - do we not sin? Are we not displeasing God? Ought we not to ascertain what influence we have, and how we may best exert it, so as to please God? Are we not accountable for the use or abuse of our influence? Is it not a talent, an important talent? Was it not given us to employ for God and the good of our fellowmen? Is it not important, then, in reference to using our influence, to ask, "Is this pleasing to God?"

So also as to the connections, I form, and the relationships into which I enter, the first question should be, "Will this please God?" A Christian is about to enter into partnership, to commence or carry on a business - what should be his first object? Assuredly to please God, for if he loses sight of God's glory, and seeks only his own worldly advantage - God may blow upon it, and if it does not end in ruin, it may introduce him to trouble, care, anxiety, and perplexity, which will spoil his peace, rob him of his spiritual enjoyments, and make his life anything but desirable! Men of business should often ask in reference to their transactions, "Is this pleasing to God?"

Do not forget that you ought not only to please yourselves - but to please God! And not only so - but you should aim to please God first and principally - before you please yourselves.

If my Heavenly Father is pleased with me - it is enough!

In prayer, in praise, in exercising benevolence, in every public duty, in every arduous enterprise, in every self-denying undertaking - I should just ask, "Is this pleasing to God?" If so, all is well. But His word must decide the question - and will always do so. In general, if we do all to the glory of God, if we do all lovingly or in a spirit of love, if we do all to edify believers, and to win lost sinners - then it is no question that God is pleased with us.

Beloved, if we do not please God - then it matters little whom we please! And if we do please God - then it is of small importance whom we displease! What a comfort it is when the world frowns on us, Christians misunderstand us, and professors misrepresent our conduct - to have the inward conviction, "my aim was to please God!" - and to go to the throne of grace to render an account, and feel the light of our Father's countenance lifted up upon us, assuring us that He is pleased with us.

My brother, my sister - our Heavenly Father is pleased with our poorest performances, with our most imperfect services, with only a cup of cold water given to one of His children - if our object is to please Him! In all that we do - He looks into our hearts, to see what we are aiming at. He is displeased or pleased - with all we do. It is one thing for Him to accept our persons in Jesus, to pardon our sins for the sake of Jesus, and another thing to be pleased with our works, as the works of His beloved child. Of the former we should be assured, and the latter we should constantly aim at.

O what a mercy to be permitted to do anything for God, to visit the sick, to relieve the poor, to circulate His truth, and to speak well of His name! And what a comfort it is to know that our God is easily pleased - that it is not the amount of what we do - but the motive from which we do it, that He looks at! "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man has, and not according to that a man has not."

Whatever we do, let us do it heartily, as to the Lord - and not to man. Whatever we do, let us "do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks unto God and the Father, by Him." Whatever we do, "whether we eat or drink - let us do all to the glory of God." Whatever we do - let it be our object, aim, and end - to please God.

And - in the future, when any work presents itself, when any untrodden path opens before us, and any influence urge us forward, or any object attracts us onward - let us ask, "Is this pleasing to God?" And before we proceed, let the question be decided; nor let us dare engage in any enterprise, enter into any relationship, or undertake any work - but from the conviction, "This will please God!"

~James Smith~

(The End)