Lesson 3.To Be Pleasing to God
Living for the Honor of God

What does it mean to lead a life that pleases God? This question concerns many believers, as we often tend to associate God’s pleasure with performance, perfection, or outward actions. However, the Bible shows us a different path: God does not seek perfect behavior but a sincere heart that trusts Him and acts in love.

In this lesson, we discover that God’s joy in us does not depend on our actions but on His infinite love and grace. He delights in our return, accepts us despite our weaknesses, and invites us to actively build His kingdom as living stones.

We will learn that even the smallest faith can achieve great things and that our most valuable goal should be to live pleasingly to God in all things—through trust, love, and devotion. This lesson encourages us to consciously place our lives in God’s hands and to make His love visible through our actions.

Living pleasingly to God does not mean perfection but a life marked by trust, mercy, and genuine love. Let us engage to understand more deeply what it means to live in God’s joy and grace.

3.1 More Valuable Than You Can Imagine
More Valuable Than You Can Imagine – The Infinite Love of God

Read Luke 15:11–32. What does the Parable of the Prodigal Son reveal about God’s mercy and love? What warning does it contain for those who, like the other son, stayed at home?

The Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11–32 impressively reveals God’s boundless mercy and love. The father in the story symbolically represents God, who runs to his lost son with compassion, embraces him, and fully welcomes him back into the family. This shows that God’s love is not conditional and that forgiveness is always possible, no matter how far someone has strayed from God. The father’s reaction defies human logic by responding not with punishment or rejection but with joy and acceptance—a powerful image of God’s grace.

At the same time, the parable contains a warning for those who stayed at home like the older son. The older son harbors resentment and misunderstanding toward the father’s grace because he feels disadvantaged by his loyalty and obedience. This reflects the attitude people can adopt when they believe that through their own works or “righteousness,” they deserve more of God’s favor. The older son’s reaction warns against remaining in self-righteousness and refusing to rejoice over another’s repentance. It is a reminder not to be hard-hearted or envious but to also grant God’s mercy to others.

The parable encourages recognizing God’s love as immeasurable and undeserved and to practice mercy and compassion toward others. It reminds us that no one has gone too far to be taken back by God and that even those who consider themselves “faithful” should open their hearts to God’s joy over the return of the lost.

Interesting is the reaction of the other son. Why is this reaction very human, at least partially based on fairness, and also very understandable? What, however, does his role in the story teach us about the fact that human notions of fairness do not capture the depth of the Gospel and God’s love for us?

The reaction of the older son in the parable is very human and understandable because it is strongly influenced by the natural desire for fairness. He feels unjustly treated because he has always been faithful and obedient, while his brother squandered the inheritance and is still received with open arms. From a human perspective, it seems only logical that loyalty and hard work should be rewarded, while misconduct should have consequences. This thinking aligns with a performance-oriented understanding of justice: those who give more should receive more.

Therefore, the older son feels anger and disappointment. His complaint reflects the feeling that his efforts are not being recognized while his brother is rewarded despite serious transgressions. Many people can identify with this feeling, especially when they experience others seemingly receiving undeserved favoritism.

But here the parable teaches us a deeper truth about God’s love and grace: God’s mercy surpasses human notions of fairness. While the older son thinks in terms of merit, the father acts out of love and grace. The Gospel is not based on performance or merits but on undeserved grace. God’s love is generous and all-encompassing; it does not adhere to human standards of justice but is based on compassion and forgiveness.

The role of the older son shows that self-righteousness and a performance-oriented mindset can prevent us from recognizing God’s true nature. It reveals that even those who have “always stayed with the father” risk misunderstanding God’s love if they place themselves above others. God’s grace is not just or fair in the human sense—it is overflowing, unconditional, and accessible to everyone, regardless of past behavior.

The parable invites us to question our own notions of justice and to be shaped by God’s boundless love. It challenges us not to remain in envy or self-righteousness but to rejoice in the grace that others receive just as we do.

The message of the Parable of the Prodigal Son has a direct and profound connection to our everyday lives and our faith. It challenges us to rethink our attitude toward others and toward God and to apply it practically in our daily lives.

1. Dealing with Mistakes and Forgiveness

   In everyday life, we often encounter situations where people make mistakes—whether in personal relationships, family, at work, or in the community. The parable encourages us to greet people who have made mistakes with open arms instead of permanently condemning them for their transgressions. Just as the father meets his lost son with love, we should be ready to forgive and give people a second chance.

2. Questioning Self-Righteousness

   Many people tend to compare themselves with others. Those who work hard or are active in the church might wonder why others who contribute less receive the same recognition or love. The older son’s reaction mirrors this attitude. In everyday life, the parable invites us to question our own self-righteousness: Do we serve out of love or out of a desire for recognition? Do we understand that God’s love is for everyone, regardless of their achievements?

3. Compassion Instead of Envy

   The father’s joy over the return of the lost son calls us to also rejoice in the happiness and successes of others, even if we feel that they do not “deserve” them. In everyday life, this can mean not looking at others with envy but being grateful for our own lives and showing compassion for others.

4. Accepting God’s Grace

   The parable also shows that we do not need to be perfect to be accepted by God. Many people struggle with feelings of guilt and believe that they are “not good enough” for God. The lost son demonstrates that repentance and the desire for reconciliation are sufficient. In everyday life, this means accepting God’s grace and forgiveness for ourselves instead of being paralyzed by guilt.

5. Living an Open Community

   In churches or communities, we often experience conflicts between long-standing members and new or returning people. The parable calls us to be an open and welcoming community that accepts everyone, regardless of their past. It reminds us not to think in groups but to remain connected in God’s love.

6. Active Charity

   Finally, the parable calls us to actively practice mercy. This can happen in everyday life through small gestures of help, comfort, or support. God’s love is not passive but full of compassion and action—and so should we act in the world.

In Summary:
The parable shows us that in our daily lives, we are called to reflect God’s infinite love—through forgiveness, compassion, and unconditional acceptance. It encourages us to act fairly but not self-righteously and reminds us that we are all more valuable than we can imagine through God’s grace.

God’s love is boundless—it welcomes us with open arms, no matter how far we have strayed.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-3-to-be-pleasing-to-god-3-1-more-valuable-than-you-can-imagine-the-god-of-love-and-justice-living-faith/

January 12, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Galatians Chapter 4

¹ Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

² But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

³ Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:

⁴ But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

⁵ To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

⁶ And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

⁷ Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

⁸ Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods.

⁹ But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

¹⁰ Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

¹¹ I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

¹² Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all.

¹³ Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.

¹⁴ And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

¹⁶ Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

¹⁷ They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them.

¹⁸ But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

¹⁹ My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

²⁰ I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.

²¹ Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

²² For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

²³ But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

²⁴ Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

²⁵ For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

²⁶ But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

²⁷ For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

²⁸ Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

²⁹ But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

³⁰ Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

³¹ So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

King James Version. Public Domain

Commentary

Introduction:

In Galatians Chapter 4, Paul continues his argument on the theme of freedom in Christ, contrasting the bondage of the law with the freedom of being God’s children. He explains that Christians in Christ are no longer slaves to the law but have received full rights as sons and daughters of God. Paul uses the image of inheritance to illustrate how believers, who were once under guardianship, have now received the promised freedoms through the coming of Christ. At the same time, he warns the Galatians against turning back to the law and relying on its rituals, urging them to remain in the freedom they have received in Christ.

Commentary:

Freedom from the Law (Verses 1–7):
Paul begins with an example of inheritance. As long as an heir is a minor, he is no different from a slave, even though he owns everything. Similarly, believers, before knowing Christ, were enslaved under the external ordinances of the law. But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son to redeem those under the law and to grant believers adoption as God’s children. As children of God, they have received the Spirit of His Son, who brings them into a relationship with the Father.

Warning Against Returning to Legalism (Verses 8–20):
Paul reminds the Galatians that when they did not know God, they served false gods. Now that they know God, he questions why they are turning back to the weak and miserable principles of the law. He expresses concern that his work among them might have been in vain. He urges them to become like him—in freedom and faith in Christ. Paul recalls the difficult times when he preached the Gospel to them and reminds them of the joy and love they once felt.

Bondage and Freedom (Verses 21–31):
Paul draws a parallel between Abraham’s two sons: the son of the slave woman (Ishmael) and the son of the free woman (Isaac). Ishmael was born according to the flesh, while Isaac was born through the promise. Paul explains that these two sons represent two covenants: one leading to bondage (the law given on Mount Sinai) and the other leading to freedom (the promise fulfilled through Isaac and new birth in Christ). Believers, as children of the promise, are heirs of freedom, not of bondage.

Summary:

Galatians 4 highlights the liberation through Christ and warns against returning to legalism. Paul emphasizes that believers are no longer slaves to the law but have received God’s adoption and inheritance through faith in Christ. He calls on the Galatians to remain in this freedom and not to return to the weak and miserable principles of the law. Believers are children of the promise, not of bondage, and should not be influenced by false teachings that would lead them back into the captivity of legalism.

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages
Chapter 87—“To My Father, and Your Father”
This chapter is based on Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-12.
Read online here

Commentary

Introduction:

In Chapter 87 we learn about the final act of Jesus’ earthly life and His ascension into heaven. Jesus, having triumphed over death and sin, prepares to ascend to His Father in heaven. This moment marks the completion of His mission on Earth and the lasting promise of His presence in the hearts of believers. The place of His ascension—the Mount of Olives—is not merely a geographical location but a place rich with memories of Jesus’ life, prayers, and His struggle for humanity’s salvation. The ascension signifies the transition from Jesus as the suffering Redeemer to the triumphant King ascending to heaven.

Commentary:

Chapter 87 presents Jesus’ ascension as an act of victory and fulfillment. After completing His earthly mission and revealing Himself as the living Savior, He enters the heavenly realms. This moment is bittersweet for the disciples—filled with sorrow at parting from their Master but also with hope, as they now have confirmation of His victory over death. The Mount of Olives, once a place of Jesus’ prayers and struggles, now becomes the stage for His farewell. Yet, this farewell is not final; rather, it marks the beginning of a new era of hope. Jesus promises to remain with His followers and assures them that He will return one day in glory.

The angels affirm to the disciples that Jesus has not departed forever but will return in the same way they saw Him ascend. The image of heavenly hosts welcoming their King symbolizes Jesus’ future triumph at His second coming. Before this moment, Jesus raises His hands in blessing—a powerful affirmation of His presence and ongoing connection with the disciples. This blessing uplifts the disciples spiritually, filling them with joy and confidence in Christ’s continued presence and His role as their intercessor.

Summary:

Chapter 87 portrays Jesus’ ascension as a profound moment of exaltation and victory. The Mount of Olives, once a place of prayer and struggle, becomes the setting for His glorious ascent into heaven. After offering His disciples comfort and the promise of His return, Jesus is taken up by a cloud, disappearing from their sight. The angels proclaim that Jesus will return in the same way. This event conveys a dual message to believers: the comfort and assurance of Christ’s ongoing presence and the hope of His glorious return. The disciples return to Jerusalem with newfound joy and confidence, their hearts filled with praise and gratitude for the living Christ, who continues to live and intercede for them.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/12-01-2025-galatians-chapter-4-believe-his-prophets/