In the Midst of Hate, Why Not Do What Pleases God?

8/15/2020 24 Comments


Leading others to serve God through good deeds

Truth seekers who get the chance to listen to my preaching of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ inevitably develop an intense desire to serve God and be a part of the Church of God International. Not only that, because of the overwhelming joy that they feel, they also want their loved ones to learn what they have learned and to also join them in the true Church that they have found and to serve God all together.

Unfortunately though, sometimes things do not always happen in accordance with what they desire. There are instances wherein, not only do their loved ones resist the idea of changing religions, but their loved ones also prevent them from further listening to the Christian doctrines that I preach, more so, from joining the Church of God.

What is more saddening is that their loved ones’ objection and resistance are not really founded on any solid ground such as doctrinal matters, but mostly out of sentimentality. They simply want the truth seekers to stick with the religion that their parents and grandparents introduced to them, which they have been practicing all their lives, regardless of its unbiblical and erroneous beliefs and practices.

With the reactions that their loved ones show, these truth seekers are faced with the predicament of how they could convince their friends and family members to also join the Church of God — because they love them and also want them to be saved.

This is actually a dilemma experienced by many people. But this is not really a big problem because the Bible teaches us how we can lead our loved ones to serving God.

1 PETER 3:1 (KJV)

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

According to the verse, a wife can be instrumental in the conversion of her husband; she can lead him to faith without using words, but only by doing good deeds. The wife does not have to use persuasive words to convince her husband because her good deeds are capable of saying more than enough. As an adage says, actions speak louder than words.

Once the husband sees the positive changes that are happening in his wife because of her obedience to the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ being taught in the Church of God, even without saying anything, the husband will readily believe that the Church that his wife joined is really of God. The husband will develop a curiosity at first, and later on, an interest in joining the Church of God.

Although the given example shows how wives can lead their husbands to God, this is also applicable to the other members of the family, and even to friends and workmates.

By putting into practice the teachings that you have learned in the Church, by doing good deeds toward them despite the cold treatment that they may give you, they would know in their hearts that you are not mistaken in joining the Church of God. And before you know it, they will be with you in your service to God. Just never get tired of doing good deeds.

1 PETER 2:12 (KJV)

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

If you keep on doing good things, if you continue to treat people with kindness despite the negative things they may say about you, time will come that even those who do not acknowledge God will learn to acknowledge Him; they will also glorify God.

One piece of advice to those who experience the same predicament: Do not be afraid of the rejection of other people; do not let their opinions hinder you in your desire to serve God. What you need to have is the kind of conviction that the apostles had — and your foremost concern should be to obey God before anybody else.

ACTS 5:29 (KJV)

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Our obedience should be rendered to God first, not to our family and friends, not to the rich and the powerful, and not to anybody else. God is our Creator; He is the owner of our lives. For that alone, it is but proper that we give Him our absolute obedience, full commitment, and love without reservations.

There is nothing wrong with loving your spouse, parents, siblings, and friends; there is nothing wrong about caring for them. But just see to it that your love for God is much, much greater than your love for any of them. Our love for other people only comes second to our love for God. We should love God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind.

As it is written in MATTHEW 22:37-39 (KJV),

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 
38 This is the first and great commandment. 
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

So, if you want to serve God, if you want to heed His calling, you have nothing to fear; you should not let anything or anybody get in the way. If you truly love God, then nothing else should matter.

Do not be afraid of what other people will say. In the first place, they will always have something to say whatever you do, as you cannot please them all. So, you might as well do what is pleasing to God.

And it is pleasing to God if you will obey His teachings and if you submit yourself under the jurisdiction of His Church. And once inside the Church of God, you will be constantly taught to do good deeds, which you can apply when dealing with your loved ones.

And with God’s help, when they see how you’ve changed for the better, you will not encounter much difficulty in making them accept the faith that you have embraced.

May God bless you!

24 comments:

  1. Thanks be to God! 💝💝💝😭

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  2. "Do not be afraid of what other people will say. In the first place, they will always have something to say whatever you do, as you cannot please them all. So, you might as well do what is pleasing to God." AMEEEEENN! 👍🏻

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  3. "...they (people) will always have something to say whatever you do, as you cannot please them all. So, you might as well do what is pleasing to God."

    Ameeeeeennnn! 👍🏻

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  4. "Do what is pleasing to God." Such a great reminder. Thanks be to God! May we continue to do good deeds with His help and may He open the hearts of our loved ones in accepting His teachings.

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  5. Thanks be to God,for the wisdom he has taught to us.

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  6. Thanks be to God,for the wisdom he has taught to us.

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  7. Thanks be to God.
    I learned a lot from this Blog.

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  8. Thanks be to God for this blog.

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  9. Perhaps, some relatives or friends are afraid that you knew them too well, or vice-versa and too proud to flock together with you. They would rather enjoy the company of people they don't know personally, sing with them, dance with them, claim salvation and heaven by false hopes, etc. Sometimes it's confusing seeing a friend and a relative in one religion despite the above circumstance, you will then realize they are too far from the truth and proud even to persecute you. While you obey what is written to be saved, they do the opposite. May they heed to God's highest calling! Thanks be to God for this eyeopener how good deeds play a role in evangelization.

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  10. By obeying the words of God and doing good things to our loved ones, friends, and fellow men, and with the help of God, it will not be difficult for us to make our detractors accept and embrace our faith that we adhere to as members of the Church of God International. To God Be The Glory!

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  11. An eye-opening blog!
    To God be the Glory!

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  12. Thanks be to God for this blog. Very enlightening

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  13. Thanks be to God... With God's mercy and help, May we follow your(GOD) instructions always.

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  14. Thanks GOD for the wisdom of not be afraid of the rejection of other people; do not let their opinions hinder you in your desire to serve God. What you need to have is the kind of conviction that the apostles had — and your foremost concern should be to obey God before anybody else.

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  15. All thanks & praises to God for prophets like you brother Eli for helping us understand the word of God.

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  16. God is the ultimate source of Love,Contrary to hate which is from satan...
    To God be the Glory!

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  17. Great Wisdom from the man-of-God, Bro.Eli Soriano!
    To God be the Glory!

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  18. "Do not be afraid of what other people will say. In the first place, they will always have something to say whatever you do, as you cannot please them all. So, you might as well do what is pleasing to God."
    AMEN tbtG

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  19. Thanks be to God for this amazing blog.Do not mind of what people say about you, do good things always."Do not let their opinions hinder you in your desire to serve God."

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