“Live To Please God!”

“Live To Please God!”(I Th.4:1-8)
The Cameroonian musician Eko Rosevelt sang, “Wuna leave me make I play my life, na so I dey oo…” A human being is a social and religious animal. It is impossible to do just what one pleases.
In the midst of cultural diversity, followers of Christ are instructed “to live in order to please God…”
We are caught up in the web of cultural diversity which includes race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, gender, language etc.
Sometimes our ethnicity, race and religion determine our sexual orientation.
Sexual immorality that was once understood to be adultery and fornication alone can now include nonconsensual sex within marriage. If nonconsensual sex among a married couple can be called rape, then the scope of sexual immorality widens. Moreso, what term do we apply to anal and oral sex?
Besides, who is defending or propagating what depends not only on one’s religious orientation but on one’s sexual orientation. Perhaps that is why those who argue strongly in favour of homosexuality say that it is not different from heterosexuality or bisexuality or asexuality.
All these, summed up in LGBTQ+ are a result of not learning to control one’s own body, and living in passionate lust as if we are heathens. What is wrong is wrong, notwithstanding the fine arguments in its favour!
Paul instructs us, urges us, tells us, and warns us; not only as passing on his own knowledge to us, but “by the authority of the Lord Jesus.”
“God has not called us to be impure, but to live a holy life.” This is to say, once in Christ Jesus the culturally motivated baggages which we carry should be offloaded so that we embrace the new life that is found in Christ Jesus alone.
Such is the life that pleases God. We can longer say, “Wuna leave me make I play my life, na so I dey!”
We belong to each other. Our actions are bound to hurt others if we live as we please.
God who has given us this instruction is the One who has given us his Holy Spirit. If his Holy Spirit is in us, then he will lead us to obey.
Prayer: Holy Spirit help me to live in order to please God. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.