Living Ready: How to Live in a Way That Pleases God
A couple of weeks ago, we began a series on living in the last days. The tension is real: people inside and outside the church are asking questions about what’s happening in the world. But Scripture warns us about two ditches — obsession and complacency. We’re not called to speculate endlessly about timelines, nor are we called to ignore the reality of Christ’s return.
We’re called to readiness.
And according to 1 Thessalonians, readiness looks like holiness.
Paul writes to a church concerned about the second coming of Jesus, but instead of giving them sensational details, he grounds their hope in daily obedience. He reminds them:
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified.”
That’s not a vague spiritual concept. That’s deeply practical.
Salvation Is the Beginning — Not the Finish Line
Salvation is the moment we receive Christ’s righteousness. It is the initiation of grace. But sanctification is the ongoing process of becoming like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We are saved by grace alone — but grace does not leave us unchanged.
Sanctification is the daily surrender of our will, our habits, our desires, and our motivations. It is the Spirit of God shaping our character to reflect Christ more and more.
And here’s the surprising truth Paul highlights:
There is a way to live that pleases God.
Not because we’re perfect. Not because we’ve earned it. But because we are yielded.
What Is Your Motivation?
One of the most confronting questions raised this week was this:
What is your motivation for Christian living?
Is it fear?
Is it obligation?
Is it “how little can I do and still be okay?”
Is it blessing?
Is it avoiding judgment?
Or is it this: God, I want to please You.
Paul urges believers to “do this more and more.” There is no cruise control in holiness. There is no spiritual retirement. There is always more surrender, more refinement, more growth.
Holiness is not about climbing a religious ladder — it is about maintaining a posture that says, “Holy Spirit, You still have access to me.”
Holiness Is About Closeness
Why is holiness so important?
Because holiness makes closeness possible.
From Eden to the tabernacle to the cross, God’s desire has always been proximity. Sin separates. Holiness restores nearness.
Holiness is not legalism.
Holiness is not self-improvement.
Holiness is preparation for intimacy.
When we yield to the sanctifying work of the Spirit:
We become more capable of experiencing God’s presence.
We become more available to be used by Him.
We become set apart for His enjoyment and His purposes.
The goal is not behavior modification.
The goal is relationship.
Living Ready
To be ready for Christ’s return is to live holy now.
To continually and completely give ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s leading and empowering work of sanctification.
To be set apart for the enjoyment and the use of our Heavenly Father.
The invitation is not guilt.
The invitation is more.
More closeness.
More usefulness.
More transformation.
More of God.
And the question remains:
What areas of your life is God calling you to “more and more”?
When you think about your Christian life, what has typically been your main motivation — fear, blessing, obligation, love, pleasing God, something else?
How would you explain the difference between salvation and sanctification in your own words?
Why do you think holiness is directly connected to closeness with God? How does sin affect that closeness?
Paul encourages believers to grow “more and more.” In what area of your life might God be inviting you to deeper surrender right now?
What would it look like this week to filter your decisions through one question: “Would this please God?”