Intention to Please God

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By C.S. Lewis Institute on May 12, 2009 ,

Intention to Please God

By William Law

Introduction

In chapter two of his 1728 classic, A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life, William Law explores why so many professing believers live lives which are indistinguishable from non-believers. He sees the primary cause not as ordinary human weakness or lack of God’s empowerment, but rather as a lack of intention to please God. Law embarks on his subject by looking at the widespread practice of cursing in his day, which was very common among professing believers. Today, we might think of this or other issues, but the basic question remains the same: why do the lives of professing believers differ so little from the lives of nonbelievers? And Law’s answer is as relevant now as it was in 1728 and reminds true disciples of Jesus Christ of the necessity of forming a firm intention to please God and living accordingly. Please read the following excerpts slowly and reflectively.

Now the reason of common swearing is this: it is because men have not so much as the intention to please God in all their actions. . .

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William Law

Theologian

William Law, Theologian, (1686 – 1761) entered Emmanuel College, Cambridge in 1705, where he studied the classics, Hebrew, philosophy and mathematics. In 1711 he was elected fellow of his college and was ordained. He resided at Cambridge, teaching and taking occasional duty until the accession of George I, when his conscience forbade him to take the oaths of allegiance to the new government. Thereafter, Law first continued as a simple priest (curate) and when that too became impossible without the required oath, Law taught privately, as well as wrote extensively. His works include A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life and A Practical Treatise Upon Christian Perfection.

 

COPYRIGHT: This publication is published by C.S. Lewis Institute; 8001 Braddock Road, Suite 301; Springfield, VA 22151. Portions of the publication may be reproduced for noncommercial, local church or ministry use without prior permission. Electronic copies of the PDF files may be duplicated and transmitted via e-mail for personal and church use. Articles may not be modified without prior written permission of the Institute. For questions, contact the Institute: 703.914.5602 or email us.

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