MUSINGS

WHO AM I PLEASING? One of the lovely features of the life of Jesus was that He “did not please himself”, Romans 15: 3. Speaking of the Father, the Lord said in John 8: 29, “I do always the things that are pleasing to him “. That was part of what He spoke of as “my joy”—to be here, day by day doing things that afforded the Father constant delight. Mr. Darby said, ‘The first thing that struck me some years ago in reading the gospels was, Here is a Man that never did anything for Himself. What a miracle to see a Man not living to Himself, for He had got God for Himself. The gospels display the One in whom was no selfishness’.

The Christian’s life is to shine with something of this glory, and it would enter not only into the work of the Lord, but into many tasks and duties that call for unselfish service to others, all being done as to the Lord. Paul says, “We ought ... not to please ourselves” (Romans 15: 1), and he speaks to the Thessalonians about “how ye ought to walk and please God” (1 Thessalonians 4: 1). How much more worthwhile, and how much happier, is a life that is not self-centred but lived for the pleasure of God, and the service of others. This was richly true of Paul and would enter into his saying, “We are a sweet odour of Christ to God”, 2 Corinthians 2: 15. The fragrance of Christ’s sacrificial life was continued in Paul. May there be something of it in our lives.

FCM