How many “likes” would you get from Abba?

Facebook (FB) can be a blessing or a huge time user/waster, or if used wisely – can be an excellent way to stay connected.  But one thing that fascinates me is how one can begin to measure their worth by how many “likes” they get with their posts and pictures. I’ve even read various ones complaining about how few likes and comments they get and wonder if they have any real friends who actually ever look at their site.  I for one only go on FB maybe once a twice a week and I can’t possibly keep up with all the people on there. Nor do I expect them all to keep up with me.

My point is:  our lives are becoming more and more measured by how many “likes” we get on FB.  

If our heavenly Father, God Most High would comment on your FB, how many “likes” would He give you and me?  Have you ever thought of that?

And what does our Father “like” anyway? We know he loves humanity so much that he sacrificed the Word as His Passover Lamb to be slain in our stead, for all our sins, that we would not be judged or penalized for our sins.  But have you thought about how you can “love” something or someone, but not LIKE it (or him/her) very much? 

Love should be stable.  We love our children whether they are good or bad. God sends rain on the just and the unjust. And we love our puppy even when she leaves her land mines or calling tags here and there. But we don’t like her chewing up the furniture or my favorite still-new shoes.  Or they were still-new looking.

So God can love us but not “like” certain things we do.  He doesn’t like it when we love the ways of the world, for example (1 John 2:15-17). 

So what does Abba, our dear heavenly Daddy who also happens to be God Most High, really “like”?   Click on “Continue reading” to read a few of the scores of possible texts that tell us clearly what He likes – and doesn’t like.

 All through the scriptures, we are urged to do and say the things that please our Father and Maker.  We make that our AIM in fact! 

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 Apologetics Study Bible
“Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to Him.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or bad.”

To put it another way, focus on getting some “likes” from our Father; to be pleasing to HIM, much more than the time and focus some put on receiving 25 or 30 “likes” on Facebook. 

What REALLY pleases God, something He really likes, is when we accept His offer to believe in His Son.  Father really loves this. Yeshua himself actually said this! 

John 3:17
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

John 6:40
“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

He really likes it when we love Him with all our heart – and one another as ourselves.  He isn’t pleased by the divisions and infighting that too often rears its ugly head even in the body of Christ, the church.

1 John 3:22-23
“And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.”

Yeshua taught us that He goes to prepare a place for us (John 14:3).  In Psalm 15 we’re told what kind of people He likes to have around: 

Psalms 15 tells us whom God would like to have near him.  These are the ones who will be on his Invitation list:

“YHVH, who may abide in Your tabernacle?  Who may dwell in Your holy hill?

2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness,  And speaks the truth in his heart;

3 He who does not backbite with his tongue; Nor does evil to his neighbor,

Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;

4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear YHVH;

He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

5 He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.  He who does these things shall never be moved.”

So Yahweh likes it when we do what’s right, as HE defines what is right and what’s wrong.  Proverbs 6 tells us some of the things that don’t make him feel like issuing “likes”.  In fact, He hates certain things:

Proverbs 6:16-19
“These six things YHVH hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

A proud look, a lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,

A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,

A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.”

Here’s another short list of what Father likes:

Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good;  And what does YHVH require of you

But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Even little children can be very pleasing to our Father and our Lord:

Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.”

We see a society where an increasing number of young and adult children have no problem demonizing their parents, or shouting disrespectful rants at them.  Some don’t ever spend any time with parents or even acknowledge their existence. How sad. 

Are we getting the idea of what Father likes?

Our Father also seems to like it when we walk with him, as Enoch, Noah, Abraham and others did (Gen 5:22; 6:9; 24:40).  He asks us to also walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8).

Hebrews 11:5-6
“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

So God IS pleased when we live by faith – faith IN HIM.  He really likes that. 

Notice who catches God’s eye:

Isaiah 66:2b -
"But on this one will I look:  On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,

And who trembles at My word.”

God likes it when we respect what He has to say. When we are humble and contrite – which means we are smitten with regret when we fall short – and change our lives to one that is walking in the Way of God.   

Now notice how God himself makes us complete to do His will, as HE works in us what is well pleasing in His sight through Yeshua’s working with us.  This obviously pleases Him!

Hebrews 13:20-21

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

As you help others, serve those who can use your help, pray for the sick and needy and do good works – God likes that.  Those things don't save us, but are proof that salvation is taking place in our lives. We’re saved by grace, FOR good works (Eph 2:8, 10).  This is pleasing. This leads God to like what He sees happening as we let God himself work in us.

We could go on and on and on with scriptures.  But the point is:  Seek the likes in life that really count; the “likes” from God himself.  Don’t fixate on what mankind might say about your Facebook postings or even about you – especially if you have some awful sins in your past.  If we’ve repented and received Yeshua as our Savior, our past sins hardly matter (though there are often hard and lingering consequences).  The sins are gone forever.  They’re buried in the blood of the Lamb, who took upon himself the wrath of God caused by our sins. 

So how many “likes” are you getting from the One who counts?  Seeking our Father’s “likes” in your life –now that’s worth the whole universe.  Make it your aim in life to receive our Father’s “likes” and to be well-pleasing to Him.  Spend your time there. Focus on that.  Cut some of the Facebook time you’re spending and plant the seeds of time well spent -- where it will grow into eternal life.