Article February 5, 1966 Issue

Pleasing God

ELIZABETH BICE LUERSSEN

A man of world renown, whose life was one of unparalleled achievement, gave this simple formula for success: "I do always those things that please him" (John 8:29). The man, of course, was Christ Jesus. The One whom he always unswervingly sought to please was his Father-Mother God. That he succeeded in this endeavor is evident by his works.

What is it that pleases God? That which is in accord with His nature. God is Spirit; so that which is spiritual and good is pleasing to Him; but that which is material is not pleasing to Him. Paul said (Rom. 8:8, 9): "They that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you." Refusing to be absorbed by either the pleasures or pains of the body, letting Spirit instead of matter be All-in-all to us, dwelling consciously on divine ideas instead of on material sense impressions, we are assured of pleasing God, Spirit.

In much the same way we can measure our motives and acts against each of the facets of God's nature as revealed in Christian Science and know that justice is pleasing to Principle, and prejudice is not; that integrity is pleasing to Truth, and deceitfulness is not; that kindness is pleasing to Love, and resentment is not; that right activity is pleasing to Life, and apathy is not; that joy is pleasing to Soul, and discontent is not; that receptivity is pleasing to Mind, and dullness is not.

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