I agree with Brother George, we can do nothing in the flesh that pleases God. And God does not save us because we turn from sin. Before you can please God, you must come to Him in faith first.
Heb 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.
Hebrews Chapter 11 tells of many who first had faith in God, and then acted according to this faith. But faith is always mentioned first.
Heb 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
You can do all the good works you want, or promise to quit sinning and God will not be pleased.
Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
We need to realize we are lost sinners and that nothing we can do will please God. Only when we repent of depending on our own righteousness, and depend upon Jesus Christ can our sins be forgiven.
Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Now, once we receive Christ and the Holy Spirit, then we please God.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Only after being born again, and becoming a new creature can we do good works pleasing to God.
The works a man performs before coming to Christ do not give glory to Christ. They are done in self-righteousness. But when we receive Christ and have his law written in our hearts, then we out of love and gratitude (not fear) obey Christ.
John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Israel tried to please God in the flesh, but was not accepted of God.
Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Nothing you can do in the flesh will EVER please God. First, you must come just as you are, a sinner, to Jesus Christ in faith. Then, and only then can you begin to please God.
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