What is the premium quality that identifies one who knows Jesus Christ? If we wanted to list things or qualities or acts that would impress God, what would they be?
Some might say the ability to speak in foreign or angelic tongues, which provides a tangible demonstration of a powerful work of the Spirit of God. We can see and hear it, and it amazes us.
Some might say a gift of prophecy and wisdom that could reveal difficult secrets, someone who supernaturally explains all that mystifies us. We have our questions answered, and it satisfies us.
Some might say faith that manifests itself in the ability to perform patently supernatural acts, or miracles. We experience benefits that have no natural explanation, and that intrigues us.
Some might say selling all one has to feed and clothe the poor. This kind of generosity creates wonder in our minds and hearts.
Some might say one who is martyred for the cause of Christ. Surely this kind of sacrifice impresses God, right?
Surprisingly, none of these are tops on God’s list. We read the following from 1 Corinthians 13:1-3: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol. And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Although we find it astonishing, all the wonderful qualities and gifts listed above are rendered useless if the motive is wrong.
What really pleases God? Anything we do, whether impressive from a human standpoint or not, that has true, supernaturally given, other-centered love at its core. The love Paul speaks of here is foreign to fallen human beings. It only exists as fruit of God’s Holy Spirit, which we receive once we have come to terms with how deeply we have been loved by God in Jesus Christ. When we place our trust in the one who died for us and bore the penalty for our sins, we experience forgiveness, gratitude, peace, and relationship with God so profound that his Holy Spirit, his very presence, takes residence in us, changing us from the inside out. It is a true work of God.
A life that pleases God is not one that presents itself as a resume of deeds, no matter how impressive from a human standpoint. Rather, God loves us so deeply when we are in Christ that his very love increasingly becomes the irreplaceable quality behind all we say, think, and do. A quiet life lived increasingly loving our God, and also loving the people he brings into our lives, is one that is truly pleasing to God, but one that only comes through true change in him.
Chris Heinss
