As we explore the concept of “Son of God,” I thought it would be good to look at Jesus “The Son of God” to see three key pursuits he embarked on whilst here on earth. Delving through scripture showed me three major pursuits: 1) Pleasing The Father, 2) Doing The Father’s Will and 3) Fellowshipping with The Father. You may ask me, “Anna, why is it important to study the life of Jesus Christ as a Son of God?” The answer is simple: Because Jesus is our litmus paper of what a son of God looks like. Jesus showed us what it means to be a Son loved by His Father. Scripture assures us of a divine promise that the same love God has for Jesus, He also has for us His children John 17: 21-23, John 1:12, 1 John 3:1-2. The loving relationship of a good Father towards sons whom He delights in is for us to enjoy. The power and authority given by Almighty God our Father to obedient sons is ours to operate in. The provision and protection of our Father is for us to rest in because we are sons of God. Therefore, we look to Jesus to know what we, sons and daughters of God, can expect and enjoy from a loving relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Jesus lived in the knowledge that He pleases the Father
Jesus comes on the scene in his 30th year with a public declaration from His Heavenly Father; ‘this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!’ Matthew 3:17. Jesus did not do a single thing without first receiving the stamp of approval from God. Every work that Jesus undertook was from the premise that He is a most beloved Son. He did not work for the Father’s approval rather He worked from the Father’s approval. Scripture reveals that Jesus Christ committed himself to doing what pleased God John 8:29. But the question remains how can we please the Lord? The bible actually makes it clear what pleases the Father and we can see these characteristics in the life of Jesus Christ. It’s important for us who are born from the second Adam to look to Him for the standard of how we are to live His life Galatians 2:20.
We may have heard songs and sermons waxing eloquent about people who have desired to please the lord but what exactly are those things that God finds pleasing 1 John 3:22?
- Jesus did good works Acts 10:38 and the bible elaborates that this is something that pleases God Hebrews 13:16.
- Another thing that pleases the Lord is when His children choose to live by faith Hebrews 11:6.
- He is also pleased with those persons who fear Him Psalm 147:10-11.
- Those who seek to do the will of God John 5:30 brings Him pleasure.
- Whosoever conducts themselves in the truth of God’s word and walks in the fruit of the Spirit Ephesians 5:8-10 pleases God.
- Those who speak and meditate upon the word of God Psalm 19:9-14 pleases the Father.
- God delights in those who are meek and humble Psalm 51:16-17, 1 Peter 5:5-7.
Why should we, as sons of God, even try to do those things that please the Lord? The answer is simply because God loves us and delights in us. Just like Jesus, we do not seek to please the Lord in order to earn God’s affection and favor. We do it from a place of already having His good pleasure. Psalm 149:4 says that God delights in His people and in so doing beautifies us with salvation. God is already abounding in love for us before we ever do a single thing to please Him. The bible says that while we were yet sinners, God showed us His love and made a way for us to come into His Presence Romans 5:8. Everything we do springs out of the first cause of His love. It is because we know the Father loves us that is why we seek to please Him. We do not have to do the most or slay giants and move mountains in order to please Him. Simply coming to Him in faith and talking with Him, sharing our heart and its desires to Him is enough. Indeed, God states that He loves to hear our prayers Proverbs 15:8. In other words even our praying to God is motivated by His love! As I write I recognize that God’s love is a frequent refrain in my blogs but the truth is God’s love is the foundation, vehicle and destination of our existence. It is everywhere and is the reason for all that we do. We cannot escape the love of God for us. His love is the reason we seek to please Him. We don’t seek to please man for no one has ever loved us the way He has loved us Galatians 1:10.
How then do we go about dedicating our lives to doing those things that will please our God? The first thing that is required is a renewing of your mind Romans 12:1-2. It is only the life that is laid down in willing surrender and the mind that is renewed from the things of this world that can even desire to please the lord. We cannot love the world and love the Lord at the same time; we will only grow to hate one as we prefer the other. The bible says that all that is in the world is lust of flesh and eyes and pride of life 1 John 2: 15-16. The pattern of thinking this world has, the values that it has, the things it desires and works towards possessing must be put away from our hearts so that we can be free to love and desire God. When we have embarked on this journey we recognize a burgeoning desire to seek out and fulfill the will of God just like Jesus John 5:30. We also note that it is important to remain in the spirit for it is the spirit that desires to do the will of God and please Him but it is our flesh which lusts to do everything contrary to the Lord Romans 8:5-8, John 4:23-24. Therefore, as people who have received the abundant love of God 1 John 3:1, desiring the things of God over the things of the world Philippians 3:8-15, having our minds renewed and our lives laid down Romans 12:1-2, so we too work to please God 2 Corinthians 5:9.
Jesus fulfilled the will of God
There is a parable that Jesus told of two sons who were asked to fulfil the desire of their father. The first son told the father he wouldn’t go but afterward repented and obeyed his father’s command. The second son said he would do it but ended up not fulfilling his father’s wishes Matthew 21: 28-32. The Father is looking for persons who will obey and fulfill His perfect will Acts 13:22. This desire of God will not be denied. The bible shows us two sons of God; Adam and Jesus. The first Adam in the Garden of Eden disobeyed God’s will and chose to rebel against God. Centuries passed and God raised up another son Jesus who in the Garden of Gethsemane chooses to fully obey the will of God for His life. This turn of events tells me that there is no escaping the will of God for mankind. Obedience to the will of God is absolute. But what is the will of God?
- The will of God is for us to know Him and to believe in His son Jesus Christ John 6:29, 1 John 3:23, Hosea 6:6, 4:6.
- The will of God is for us to give thanks 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
- The will of God is for us to be sanctified 1 Thessalonians 4:3.
- The will of God is for us to conduct ourselves in goodness silencing the ignorance of foolish men 1 Peter 2:15
- The will of God is for His people to walk in humility before Him Micah 6:8.
We can find the will of God in scripture for it is there God has chosen to reveal His will to humanity.
Jesus who is our head and whose life we now live was devoted to fulfilling the will of God in the earth John 6:38-40. He also gave us direction to pray for God’s will to be completed in the world Matthew 6:10. It is on this basis that Paul encourages us to seek out the will of God and do it Ephesians 5:17. In Matthew 21 Jesus shares the parable of two sons. The key point to note in the parable Jesus shared is that the first son repented. Repentance is key to fulfilling God’s will because it means turning away from our own ways and turning towards God and His will for us. If we look at the life of David we can see that he definitely sinned against God so why would God testify of him that he is a man that fulfills His will? Because David was quick to repent and seek to do God’s will Psalm 51. I stress this point because the enemy loves to condemn us and tell us that we are not fit to obey God’s will, but our Heavenly Father is full of mercy and grace. Let us also repent and seek to do God’s will.
Jesus kept in communication with God constantly
God has clearly outlined in scripture that His will is for us to pray to Him 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Why does God want us to pray to Him? Because we need Him. I pray to my Father because I need His presence and love. I pray because I need God. Prayer is our vital connection to God. It is no surprise then that Jesus had the expectation that we should pray regularly to God Matthew 6:6. In fact Jesus encouraged us to pray lest we fall into temptation for he knew one of the secrets of overcoming the wiles of the devil is prayer Matthew 26:41. Jesus also outlined that we are to keep in constant fellowship with God John 15:1-11 and prayer is one of the tools we have in our work belt that helps us to do this. Scripture shows us that Jesus lived a prayer filled life to God which serves as a blueprint for our prayer lives:
- Hebrews 5:7- Jesus offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears
- Luke 3:21-22- Jesus prayed and was baptized, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended
- Matthew 14:23- Jesus prayed alone in a mountain
- Luke 6:12- Jesus prayed all night
- Luke 5:16–Jesus prayed after healing the sick
The Holy Spirit revealed to me the importance of prayer in the lives of Adam and Jesus when they were tested in the gardens of Eden and Gethsemane. Consider that one of the key differences in the Garden of Eden and Gethsemane is prayer and how the absence and presence of prayer has altered the destiny of mankind forever.
The Jesus Kind of People
The love of the Father was experienced by all who came to Jesus and received from His ministry. This is key; sons of God reflect the love of their Father. Scripture has explained that Jesus Christ showed us the character and heart of God The Father John 14:8-10, Matthew 11:27. We have been created in the same image of God through the work of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 1:17-25. The same nature of Father God is in God the Son. We also share this nature, being born of the seed of the word. Seeds reproduce after their own kind. Therefore, being seeds of Jesus we are the Jesus kind. We are called to put on Jesus Christ and to die to self so that we may live the life of Jesus Christ. He has shown us the pursuit of The Son of God which we should follow: pleasing the Father, doing His will and fellowshipping with Him. We were made to know the love of the Father. The point being made is that as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live the life of Jesus we will experience for ourselves and in turn give the love of God to others. In the same way everyone who encountered Jesus Christ experienced the love of the Father even so anyone who encounters us should experience the love of Jesus. Beloved we were raised to new life so that we can become like Jesus Christ. Let us throw off every sin and deceptive lie as we run full tilt to living the life of Jesus Christ Galatians 2:20!
Heart’s Response
Father, we come before your throne to obtain grace. We need grace to pursue you and live as obedient children to your will. We repent for where we have lived on our terms and we set our hearts to knowing you and showing your loving power to others. We want to be like Jesus in the earth. Help us to experience your love Father and generously give your love to those in need. In Jesus’ name we pray; Amen.
