p. 3 | Editorial by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 7, 1905

Editorial

By Editor

Pleasing God

We deal with a loving Father who looks upon us with pitying tenderness, and not with a stern despot who is watching for an opportunity to condemn us. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so Jehovah pitieth them that fear him.” All the requirements of God can be fully met by those who are willing to avail themselves of the provision made to supply power for obedience. Thus it is possible to please God. Of this we have an example in the case of Enoch. “He hath had witness borne to him that before his translation he had been well-pleasing unto God.” The secret of pleasing God is told in a few words: “Without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him.” The one thing for which we are responsible is that we should have faith in God. This makes all other things possible in the way of righteousness. It is the evil heart of unbelief which leads us to depart from the living God. Many of the children of Israel “were not able to enter in because of unbelief.” Through faith in the sacrifice made in our behalf we receive forgiveness of sin; through faith we receive all the gifts of God; through faith we are transformed so that we become partakers of the divine nature; through faith we are enabled to show forth the excellences of him who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. This is the life which is well-pleasing to God, and it is the privilege of every one who chooses to do so, to live this life. What a blessed thought that we may please God! How much better this is than to please ourselves! “Christ also pleased not himself.” “Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk,—that ye abound more and more.” “Not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts.”