Will It Please Him?

Read: Ephesians 5:1-17

Walk as children of light . . . , finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. —Ephesians 5:8,10

Two friends were talking about a movie that one of them had seen recently. As he began to describe the film, he characterized it like this: "You wouldn't want to take your pastor to watch it with you."

It's a curious standard we sometimes set for ourselves, isn't it? We allow ourselves to view, hear, or participate in things that we know are not proper for us as followers of Christ. But if an activity is not appropriate for those whom we expect to be godly (church leaders), how can it be okay for us? Or if it has elements that would be harmful for young people to take part in, then why should we?

When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he didn't limit God's moral standards to certain people or age groups. He didn't create a rating system that would allow exposure to evil for those who were at certain spiritual levels. Instead, he pointed to the Lord Jesus as the standard.

If we are committed to living as God has called us to live, we will strive to find out what is "acceptable to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:10). We will "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them" (v.11).

The issue is not what a pastor or any other person would do. The question is: Will it please the Lord? —Dave Branon

Lord, as I follow You by faith,
Help me each day to learn
That pleasing You in all I do
Must be my main concern. —Fitzhugh

You can do what you please if what you do pleases God.

daily bread