GOD’S PLEASURE IN US BASED ON CHRIS

God’s pleasure in us is not based on our usefulness or our ability to perform good works, but on our acceptance in Christ. This truth is beautifully illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son. When the son returned home, the father’s joy was not in what the son had accomplished or could do, but simply in his return and restored relationship

(Luke 15:20-24)

. This parable reveals the heart of our heavenly Father towards us.
Many believers struggle with a utilitarian view of the Christian life, thinking that God’s pleasure in them is contingent upon their usefulness or good works. This mindset leads to constant striving, fear of failure, and a lack of peace. However, the Scripture teaches us that we are “accepted in the beloved”

(Ephesians 1:6)

. Our acceptance is not based on what we do, but on what Christ has done for us.
The blood of Christ has brought us into the very presence of God, purging our conscience from dead works to serve the living God

(Hebrews 9:14)

. This means that our service to God is not about earning His favor, but about responding to the favor we have already received in Christ. We are called to serve the living God, not a taskmaster demanding our performance.
True fruitfulness in the Christian life flows from a heart of thanksgiving and a deep understanding of our position in Christ. When we grasp the riches of God’s grace towards us, we naturally respond with gratitude which has an overflow. This is the essence of being an “11th hour laborer” or a returning prodigal son. These are not people who have earned God’s favor through their works, but those who have come to understand the depths of God’s love and grace towards them.
The concept of the “11th hour laborer” reminds us that God’s pleasure in us is not based on how long or how much we have worked, but on His own gracious choice to include us in His kingdom work

(Matthew 20:1-16)

. Similarly, the prodigal son represents those who have squandered their inheritance but are welcomed back with open arms, not because of what they can offer, but because of the father’s love.
Understanding our position in Christ is crucial for living a fruitful Christian life. We are seated with Christ in heavenly places

(Ephesians 2:6)

, and this position is not earned but freely given. From this place of security and acceptance, we can serve God without fear, knowing that His pleasure in us is constant and unchanging.
The feast that the father prepared for the prodigal son is a picture of Christ Himself. It is in partaking of this feast – enjoying Christ and all He is to us – that we find ourselves naturally engaged in good works. These works are not burdensome tasks performed to earn God’s favor, but the joyful overflow of a heart satisfied in Christ.
We need to cast aside the utilitarian view of the Christian life that leads to constant striving and fear. Instead, we just need to grow in the knowledge of the truth concerning our acceptance in Christ and allow our hearts to be filled with thanksgiving. Paul described this pursuit this way:

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:8-12 KJV)

In this pursuit we find ourselves naturally bearing fruit, not out of obligation, but out of the abundance of what we have received in Christ. Remember, it is not our usefulness that pleases God, but our faith in and enjoyment of His Son

(Hebrews 11:6)

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Verses Referenced:

• Luke 15:20-24 – “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
• Ephesians 1:6 – “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
• Hebrews 9:14 – “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
• Matthew 20:1-16 – “For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?”
• Ephesians 2:6 – “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
• Philippians 3:8-12 – “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”
• Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”