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/