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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