A Pleasing Goal
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Paul teaches about this great day when we transition from the bodies we live in now to the new ‘dwelling’ we’ll have with the Lord. This tent to a new permanent dwelling… this moral life to an immortal one… While we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We prefer, Paul writes, to be at home with the Lord. Then Paul writes, “we make it our goal to please Him…” Because of the reality of Jesus and the eternity that is waiting for us, we set an objective to orient life around: Pleasing Jesus! It becomes our strategic plan – bringing joy to the heart of God. Since the majority of life will be spent on that side of eternity, then this is the right perspective to have. What’s more, Jesus is the Judge! We will all stand before Him. We will receive from Him what we deserve and it is based on what we have done in this tent, our body. Our actions and deeds are important! What we do here will have consequences and rewards there. So, Paul writes, we make it our goal to please Him. What we do matters!As His servant I want to please my Master. Wanting to bring joy to His heart is the higher motivation, but understanding judgment day is motivating too! What I do in this life will be judged, whether good or bad. This inspires new goal setting! I want to please the Lord. I want Him to be proud of me! While I will be leaning heavily into His grace and the salvation He has provided for me, I also want the Lord to say with a smile, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of eternity!”Lord Jesus, thank You for gracing me with salvation and Your Spirit. You have taken care of my past, are walking with me today and are pointing me to a fabulous future! I will spend eternity serving You for what You have done! Your grace and love are amazing. I really do want to please You! I want You to find in me a servant who takes delight in Your instructions and who brings delight to You through my obedience. Lead me, correct me and direct me in what You want accomplished through me. Whatever it is… I will do it. My trust is in You and my answer is ‘Yes!’
2 Corinthians 5:9-10
Paul teaches about this great day when we transition from the bodies we live in now to the new ‘dwelling’ we’ll have with the Lord. This tent to a new permanent dwelling… this moral life to an immortal one… While we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We prefer, Paul writes, to be at home with the Lord. Then Paul writes, “we make it our goal to please Him…” Because of the reality of Jesus and the eternity that is waiting for us, we set an objective to orient life around: Pleasing Jesus! It becomes our strategic plan – bringing joy to the heart of God. Since the majority of life will be spent on that side of eternity, then this is the right perspective to have. What’s more, Jesus is the Judge! We will all stand before Him. We will receive from Him what we deserve and it is based on what we have done in this tent, our body. Our actions and deeds are important! What we do here will have consequences and rewards there. So, Paul writes, we make it our goal to please Him. What we do matters!As His servant I want to please my Master. Wanting to bring joy to His heart is the higher motivation, but understanding judgment day is motivating too! What I do in this life will be judged, whether good or bad. This inspires new goal setting! I want to please the Lord. I want Him to be proud of me! While I will be leaning heavily into His grace and the salvation He has provided for me, I also want the Lord to say with a smile, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of eternity!”Lord Jesus, thank You for gracing me with salvation and Your Spirit. You have taken care of my past, are walking with me today and are pointing me to a fabulous future! I will spend eternity serving You for what You have done! Your grace and love are amazing. I really do want to please You! I want You to find in me a servant who takes delight in Your instructions and who brings delight to You through my obedience. Lead me, correct me and direct me in what You want accomplished through me. Whatever it is… I will do it. My trust is in You and my answer is ‘Yes!’
