You Are Pleasing to God (If You Are In Christ)

A few weeks ago, I wrote about learning to look back and see how far I've come, rather than only looking forward and becoming discouraged at how far I have to go. In the middle of writing that post, I was so encouraged by this post from--who else?--Mark Lauterbach. He describes 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 as "shocking" and "outrageous" because of Paul's statement, "how to walk and please God, as you are already doing."

Lauterbach writes:

Now why would he say that? ...Was this church some paragon of godliness?
...No, they are no super-saints. How then are they pleasing God?

It is because of the work of Christ. ...He has lived the sinless life that please God. He has offered the atoning sacrifice that removes wrath. God sees them in Christ and they are his sons and daughters. They have been given the Spirit. ...In other words, God no longer sees them in themselves alone. He sees them in Christ.

...Wow, here is my question: ...Would I ever tell an individual I care for that they are pleasing to God? Do I ever go to bed at night with the thought that in that day God was pleased with me in Christ?

I started excerpting more here, but I can't copy and paste the whole article. Please, please do yourself a favor and go read the whole thing! It is a truly encouraging reflection on the amazing grace of God.