“For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.” (Romans 8:7-8 NLT).
The apostle Paul wrote that only those who live according to the Holy Spirit are able to please God. Without the Spirit, we are left to ourselves and to the control of the sin nature, which the Bible calls the “flesh.” The flesh is always hostile to God. It wants its own way. When the flesh tries to follow God’s law it always fails. For the flesh is a slave to sin.
Yet God sent Jesus to rescue us from this life of sin and death. For those who have trusted Christ as Lord and Savior have been set free from sin and death. More than that, they have been given the Holy Spirit, so that they are able to live their lives in a way that pleases God. For who has always pleased God? Jesus. As the Father has said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17). And those who have the Son living in them by the Spirit are able to live a life of faith that pleases God.
So who can please God? Only those who have placed their faith in Christ and received His Spirit. For “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6).
PRAYER: Father, we desire to please You this day with our thoughts, words and deeds. But we know the only way to please You is to walk in the Spirit. For it is by depending on the Spirit of Christ within us that You enable us to please You. Therefore, fill us afresh this day with Your Spirit and bring to our attention any place where He is not in control that we might surrender it. We want You to be pleased with us Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.