LIVING AS GOD INTENDS FOR US

To live as God intends for us to live, is to walk according to His will. God's will is expressed in God's law and embedded in His Word. Living to please God should be the goal and desire of every Christian. To find out who you are actually living for, first of all ask yourself this question: Who are you pleasing with your lifestyle? Do you treasure God's Word? If you are able to answer these questions, then you can position yourself to live in harmony and synchrony with the Spirit of God and abide in His Word.

Reference: Psalm 119:1 New International Version - UK (NIVUK) 'Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.'

The book of the Law, which is the Bible, is our manual instructions as Christians. Its just like, when you purchase a laptop or a desktop, it comes with the user manual or guide. It will always make sense to follow the producer’s instructions because they tell you what you need to know about using the new product. In the same manner, we are to follow our Maker’s instructions in the book of His law because they are essential for a successful and abundant Christian life, as He intends for us.

Our referenced Scripture, Psalm 119:1, pointed out that people who follow God’s way are blessed and their ways are blameless. First, in giving His Word, God reveals to us, "This is how I created you to live; in my laws, you'll locate the purpose for which you were made. When you live according to my instructions, you will function as the blessed." However, this does not mean you will never encounter challenges, but, whatever the circumstances - easy or challenging - your life with God and others will count and flourish because, as the blessed, you aim to honour and please God. Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV) says, 'Blessed is the one who does not walk in the steps of the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take, or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight are in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yield its fruit in seasons and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers.' That's the description of your lifestyle in Christ.

Second, we must examine the meaning of the word, 'blameless' in our referenced verse. It says, 'blessed are those whose ways are blameless'. If your ways are blameless, it equally means you are blameless. Here, blameless does not mean perfection, because it talked about ways. It means, innocent of wrongdoing. It denotes the actions you take. If your ways are blameless, you don't plan to do wrong because you love God; as a result of the fear of God at work in you, you always desire to please God. Simply put, you have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV). That's the difference between the righteous and the evildoers. Evildoers have the nature of scheming and plotting evil, or creating an invention or experiment for evil purposes. But those who are in Christ, have been made blameless and declared righteous by God (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV).

When we are in Christ, we long to be like Christ and to live in line with God's will, which is according to His Word because the desire is immanent - due to our new nature. Jesus said, 'Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully!' (Matthew 5:6 GNT). In other words, the desire to please God leads to being filled and satisfied by God. No wonder Philippians 2:13 (NLT) says, 'For God is working in you, giving you the desire and power to do what pleases Him.

What are you supposed to do to keep the desire to please God burning in you? Fellowship with the Holy Spirit always and subscribe to His guidance and intelligence. He will guide you properly to follow God's Word with all your heart.

Scripture Reading - Deuteronomy 5:33; Micah 6:8; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Colossians 1:10.

Guided Prayer: Gracious God, you are my focus in my life's journey and my heart longs for you always. My daily desire is to fellowship with you and become more like Christ, such that I walk in a manner worthy of your perfect will for me. I live to please you in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of your Word, in Jesus' Name, Amen!