1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 Furthermore then we beseech you, brothers, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus… There are in the world self-pleasers, men-pleasers, God-pleasers. The last only deserve our imitation. I. GOD CAN BE PLEASED. That being the case — 1. He notices our conduct. 2. Observes the character of our actions. 3. Has a disposition with regard to men. II. HE CAN BE WELL PLEASED (Colossians 3:20). Those please Him best who are most like in character and action to Him in whom He was "well pleased." III. HE CAN BE EASILY PLEASED. He requires no impossible services. His approbation is not wrung from Him with difficulty. IV. HE CAN ALWAYS BE PLEASED. "He waiteth to be gracious." When the Christian walks in the way of His commandments, he walks with God. V. HE OUGHT TO BE PLEASED. This is required by — 1. Himself. His commands all amount to this. His glory is promoted by this. 2. Man. Pleasing God is the directest way of securing the welfare of the world. 3. Our own well being. To please God is to have a tranquil conscience, the approbation of the God, an endless reward. (B. Pugh.) Parallel Verses KJV: Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. |
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