Nothing Pleasing

‘And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.’ – Hebrews 11:6

Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” For the Christian, a newness of life brings about a new value and understanding of one’s purpose in life, namely that we were created to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever; this is the chief end of man. This divine purpose gives our lives meaning and directs our actions toward the original design of man. Apart from being reborn, we could never live up to this due to our fallen nature, which distorts our desires and intentions. It was our original design to seek to please God in all that we do, reflecting His glory through our thoughts, words, and deeds. Because of our depravity, we have lost all ability to please our Creator because we stand in a hostile and defiled state.

Below we will seek to answer the question of why an unbeliever’s “good” works can’t please God. Some of you probably have never thought to question someone’s works if they appear to be outwardly good. Like, how could giving to the poor and caring for the elderly not be good? It can seem puzzling, especially when we see such acts celebrated in our society and even in our churches. However, the issue lies in the motivation behind these actions and whether they align with a true understanding of goodness as defined by God’s standards, while also being in a correct, restored relationship with God.

What Pleases Thee

‘So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. ‘ – 2 Corinthians 5:9

Walk as children of light . . . and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. – Ephesians 5:8, 10

First, we as Christians must understand that our job is to please the Lord in all things and at all times, regardless of our circumstances or challenges. This is a very high calling, given that we still wrestle with our flesh in this matter, often facing temptations and distractions that can lead us astray. However, we are able to overcome and do that very thing because we have been given a helper, otherwise known as the Spirit, who guides and strengthens us in our efforts to live righteously. This divine presence not only comforts us in our struggles but also inspires us to seek after holiness and to foster a closer relationship with our Creator. To please the Lord is the reason we were created, as it aligns with our ultimate purpose and brings fulfillment to our lives.

Secondly, we must come to understand what it is to please God and what His standards are. This comes with a correct understanding of God’s word and His commandments, as they serve as a guiding light for our lives. This can only be done with the discernment that is given by the Spirit to the believer, allowing us to navigate the complexities of life with wisdom. This discernment is a gift from God, but it must be cultivated and stewarded well through prayer, study, and reflection upon His word. Once we have discerned that our purpose is to please the Lord in all things and we come to understand what it is that pleases Him, we then embark on this sanctification journey. The Spirit will convict us to live out our lives in a pleasing manner, nudging us to make choices that honor Him. This may involve acts of kindness, service to others, and the pursuit of holiness in all aspects of our daily lives. But none of this can be done apart from faith, for without it, none of those things would please the Lord. Ultimately, it is the sincere desire in our renewed hearts to align ourselves with His will that will lead us to truly understand and embrace the beauty of living for His glory. This is only possible for believers, as non-believers remain hostile towards God in their flesh. Below are a few examples of things God has revealed that please Him.

All of these things above can ultimately only be pleasing to God if we are in a correct relationship/standing with Him. A non-believer does not give thanks to God but instead plots against Him. Like the author in Hebrews mentions, apart from faith, it is impossible to please God. For without Christ, sin destroys everything in our lives.

“Thus there may be a great many works seemingly good, done by men, who yet have no savor of the essence of true religion… If there be not a principle of supreme regard to God, and love to him reigning in the heart, there is no true virtue.” – Jonathan Edwards / The Nature of True Virtue, Section I & III

Deprived of Good

‘I say to the Lord , “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”’ – Psalm 16:2

Can non-believers do anything that is good and pleasing in the eyes of the Lord? I believe the answer in Scripture is no, no matter how much we want to say yes to the question. There must be a discernment between the realities of what is “outwardly good” by appearances among mankind and that which is “inwardly good” by the standard of God. Many of us would agree that giving to the poor and caring for the widow are good things. But among those good things, there are both outward good towards our neighbor and inward good in the reason for why we are doing such things. Often during Jesus’ ministry here on Earth, he addressed not only outward good but also inward motives, for Christ was concerned about the heart posture behind such things. He made distinctions between the good of not murdering someone while also condemning them for already committing murder in their heart. Non-believers are incapable of inward good because of the corruption of their heart. This corruption hinders their ability to fully comprehend the divine nature of goodness, which transcends mere actions. Instead, the motivations behind their deeds may often stem from self-interest or societal approval rather than a genuine desire to reflect God’s love and righteousness. As a result, even the most altruistic acts can fall short of the true goodness that God desires, which flows from a regenerated heart. Therefore, it becomes crucial for believers to cultivate not only their actions but also their intentions, aligning them with the heart of God and recognizing that true goodness is intimately connected to a relationship with Him, upon which non-believers are deprived of.

‘For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. ‘ – Romans 7:18

Can non-Christians do things that outwardly appear good? Yes, for one’s neighbor can benefit from a selfish giver, even if the giver’s intentions may not be altruistic. Just like a homeless man can be grateful for food from anyone, regardless of their motives, but God ultimately desires the giver to be doing it for His glory and with a genuine love of thy neighbor that transcends mere obligation. This highlights the complexity of human actions, where the external appearance of goodness may mask an inner selfishness. Can Christians do outward good with wrong inward motives? Yes, Christians are still apt to sin and fall short of the glory of God, but they do so in a right relationship with God, being that they find forgiveness in Christ and are continually reminded of the transformative power of His love, which encourages them to reflect their faith and commitment to live Christ like lives.

“Nothing that comes out of the heart of unbelief pleases the Lord.” – John Piper

‘For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.’ – Romans 8:6-8

We must also be mindful of the fight between the flesh and the spirit. We who were once dead in our sins made much of pleasing our flesh, for that was our nature. And those who have been reborn now wrestle against the flesh by the power of the Spirit. We are bound to fall again into sin, but we are not left to live in our sin anymore. Only those who operate according to the Spirit can please God.

‘He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?’ – Micah 6:8

The problem with our religious good works is that we are attempting to “serve God” or “do good things” without being in a right relationship with God and without understanding how he wants to be served. – Derek Brown

Conclusion

‘Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.’ – Romans 8:8

No matter how hard we try, as long as we remain dead in our flesh, we cannot please God. This profound truth serves as a reminder that our efforts alone, devoid of a true connection to the Creator, are insufficient. Apart from knowing God, we have no knowledge of good; therefore, we cannot call those deeds done apart from God good. It is through His guidance and wisdom that we can discern right from wrong. And without being reborn again, with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, it is impossible to seek God and that which would conform us to His pleasing will. The transformative power of the Holy Spirit is essential for our understanding and ability in doing good. While the actions of non-believers can be a benefit to others, we know that God can use the evil done by others for good, weaving a tapestry of grace that reflects His sovereignty. We, as Christians, should make it our life’s goal to please God in all that we do, giving Him honor and praise in all things. By striving to align our thoughts, words, and actions with His will, we not only enhance our relationship with Him but also serve as beacons of light and hope to those around us, guiding them towards the ultimate source of love and truth.

“Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others; yet, because they proceed not from a heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner, according to the Word; nor to a right end, the glory of God; they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God.” – Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XVI, Section VII

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Category	The Believer’s Position	The Non-believer’s Position
Faith	Has faith in God and believes that He exists and rewards those who seek Him. Faith is the foundation of their ability to please God.	Lacks the foundational faith required to please God. Their actions, no matter how outwardly “good,” are not rooted in belief in His existence or a desire to seek Him.
Purpose/Motivation	Seeks to glorify God and live according to His divine purpose. Their actions are directed by a new understanding of life’s meaning.	Operates from a fallen nature, with desires and intentions that are inherently distorted. Their motivations for “good” works may stem from a desire for social recognition, personal fulfillment, or a sense of humanistic duty, but not from a desire to please God.
Relationship with God	Is in a restored, correct relationship with God, having been “reborn.” Their actions are an overflow of this relationship.	Is in a hostile and defiled state, separated from God due to their fallen nature. They lack the restored relationship necessary to produce works that are pleasing to Him.
Guidance	Is guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit to discern and do what is pleasing to the Lord.	Lacks the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They operate on their own understanding of “good,” which may not align with God’s standards and commandments.
Outcome of “Good” Works	Their good works, when done through faith and guided by the Spirit, are pleasing to God as they align with His standards and ultimate purpose.	Their “good” works cannot please God because they are done apart from faith and a restored relationship. The text questions how “good” an act can be if it is not aligned with God’s standards and not done out of a heart that seeks to please Him.

Why An Unbeliever’s Good Works Can’t Please God: An Illustration

can the godless do good?