IS IT POSSIBLE TO SERVE GOD AND NOT PLEASE HIM?

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37 (KJV)

Serving God and living for God are two distinctive things. It is obvious that, in his natural inclination, man would always, more than usual lean to something that appeals to his pleasurable desires. 

This being the truth, I think we need to answer these questions in order to set ourselves on the road map to our destination. Here we go! Who feels good when you do what you want to do, and, who feels good when you do what God wants you to do? Who feels good when you gain the world? Who feels good when you gain your life and lose the pleasure of sin that lasts for a moment? Which of these settles you heart? An honest answer to these questions will indicate where you are in this season.

It is possible that one may serve God and never know how to live for Him. Further more, it is also possible to serve God and not please Him. By God’s grace, those you seek to help with your service of the gospel will undoubtedly be helped. But you may not. 

For example; a road sign points the way but it is going no where. It shows direction to where your destination is but it will always keep its position right there. When you reach the landing place you are happy, but, the road sign cannot share your joy. It remains where you last saw it. Sad indeed! The next time you visit the same destination, you won’t care to look at it any more–for now you know the way. Shame on you Mr. Roadsign. 

Here is another scenario: One may live for God and not serve Him. The Bible teaches that this is a life spent on selfishness influenced by an unnoticed pride backed up by underlying greed. A selfish person says in his heart; ‘what is yours is ours but what is mine is mine.’ Can you remember any character in the Bible with this personality? You are right; Ananias and Sapphira his wife as recorded in Acts 5. When other Christians sold their properties, they shared in their proceeds. But when Ananias and his wife sold theirs, they lied about the turnover.

Throughout the Bible, the "seed" lesson runs through as a tapestry with its message echoing from page to page. The message is unequivocal in its significance. ‘Sow a seed and it will grow and bear much fruit.’ Whatever you learned from the Lord is a seed. Share with others as a sower would plant a seed in the ground. Sow it in others and you will find an increase. A teacher may qualify at the college or university, but he only becomes a better teacher when he shares what he has learned. One who learns from the Lord must share with others what he learned, and, in so doing, the Lord will increase him beyond what he can possibly ask or think. 

Solomon was inspired by the Holy Spirit and every time he learned wisdom, he shared it in writing. This is how he wrote the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Songs of Solomon. Listen to this snippet taken from one of his specials; “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)

How come you know so much from the Bible and yet you make no progress? Indeed, Jesus was spot on when He said; “But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” (Matt. 7:26 NIV) Hearing is like a double entry system in accounting. It is always balanced by obedient action.

Based on the Holy Scripture, I perceive living for God as a constant fellowship with Him, in prayer, study of the Word, meditation and confession of the Word, etc. I am convinced that this kind of fellowship strengthens the Father and son relationship and brings about a meaningful relationship without which no one can serve God in spirit and in truth. It is this fellowship that turns a natural man into spiritual and ushers him into the spirit world of God.

On the other hand, I believe that serving God is to allow Him to flow through your life and touch others with His love and grace. It is scary to see how many people attempts to serve God without this flow. Man has nothing of himself to offer a service good enough to bring about a permanent change in others. Man should, and must always be a channel through which God flows to the dying humanity. Otherwise; with his sincere attempts, he will only transmit flesh to flesh and in some instances, mind to mind.

How will God flow through your life if you have no meaningful relationship with Him? How would you help others if you have not been helped yourself? Is it not right to “remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye?” (Matthew 7:5) To live for God is therefore, to remove a plank–a pole from your own eye first. To remove a plank from your own eye is to attend to your spiritual life first; then you will be empowered to serve God with the gospel. You remove the plank from your eye by studying the Word, by prayer, by meditation and confession of the Word. You do not need a super Christian or so-called special prophet to do that for you. Only the Lord will remove the plank when you submit your life in prayer, study, meditation and confession of the Word.

No matter how hard you work in the service of God, no matter how much you achieve for the Lord, no matter how much of yourself you give out to others in the name of the ministry; it profits little if your life is not lived for God–if you have no relationship with Him. “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” 

Until you attend to your spiritual health, you are not in a position to help others in spiritual matters. You worked, all right? You gained the whole  world, you gained all the recognition for what you have done, all right? Thant’s how far you will go. Due to your love for the world, and lack of attention to your relationship with God, your life is drifting away.

Here is how a relationship should look like:

1. Man with God - Vertical relationship

   First, present yourself to God and He will open your eyes

   to the truth. 

   “Therefore, submit yourselves to God.” (James 4:7 ISV)

  “So place yourselves under God's authority” 

  (James 4:7  GW)

  “So let God work his will in you” (James 4:7 The Message)

2. Man with man - Horizontal relationship

   You have been made a good tree and can now bear fruit.    

   You are ready to reach others. You are ready for God’s 

   service

  “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good” 

  (Matt. 12:33 NIV)

  “Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree       

   bears bad fruit.” (Matt. 7:17 NIV)

  “Go ye therefore” (Matt. 28:19 NIV)

  And those you seek to help will realise that you have “been

  with Jesus.” (Acts 4:17 NKJ)

3. God with men 

“And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 40:5

Such a man will not lose his life nor the life of those he seek to help. What are we saying? Friend, let it begin with you first. Only then will you be ready for others. Let the gospel transform you and others will be transformed by your gospel-driven life.