Pleasing God in the Right Dispensation: A Contrast of Hebrews and Romans

Pleasing God in the Right Dispensation: A Contrast of Hebrews and Romans

Many Christians today are sincere but sincerely confused. They read Hebrews and Romans as if they’re saying the same thing to the same people. But they’re not. These two epistles are foundational—but for different audiences, in different dispensations, with different instructions for how to walk in a way that pleases God. Before we get into comparing 'what pleases God' between the two letters, let me start with a generalisation of Hebrews versus Romans. 

Hebrews is written to Israel, specifically to Jewish believers preparing to endure the coming tribulation. It speaks from the framework of law and prophecy, calling them to hold fast, to resist apostasy, and to demonstrate their faith through visible obedience. It warns against returning to temple sacrifices—especially when the Antichrist reinstates them—and speaks of “the world to come” (Hebrews 2:5) and “the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25), pointing clearly to prophetic fulfilment. Christ is presented as the true High Priest, replacing the Levitical system, and Israel is called to come “without the camp” (Hebrews 13:13), echoing the flight from Jerusalem in Matthew 24:15. This is not Church doctrine—it is tribulation instruction for Israel under law and prophecy.

Romans, by contrast, is written to the Body of Christ, and it operates under grace and mystery. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13), lays out the believer’s spiritual identity in Christ, centred on justification by faith, sanctification, and the renewing of the mind. Romans reveals the mystery that was hidden in ages past (Romans 16:25), and though it addresses both Jews and Gentiles, it does so within the context of the Church—not national Israel. It teaches us to walk in the Spirit, not striving for acceptance through performance, but resting in the finished work of Christ. Our salvation is not dependent on the law but is entirely under grace (Romans 6:14).

These two epistles cannot be merged. They serve different purposes, speak to different people, and offer different patterns for pleasing God. And this difference is further clarified when we ask a simple question: What pleases God?

What pleases God?

Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him.” Romans 8:8 says, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Same goal—pleasing God. But the path is different. Hebrews points to physical, visible obedience. Romans points to spiritual, inward transformation.

This is where many believers stumble. They try to please God by mixing the two—doing outward works like Israel, while ignoring the inward renewal taught by Paul. But God is not pleased by religious performance. He is pleased when we walk in the Spirit, with a mind yielded to His Word.

So then, what does not please God?

Hebrews warns Israel that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). Under law and prophecy, faith had to be proven. Noah built, Abraham moved, Moses forsook. Their faith was alive because it acted. If it didn’t act, it wasn’t real. This was Israel’s pattern: obedience to the law, endurance unto reward.

Romans, however, gives a different warning: “The carnal mind is enmity against God” (Romans 8:7). Here, the issue isn’t about doing enough—it’s about thinking wrongly. The carnal mind resists God’s Word, leans on fleshly reasoning, and refuses to yield. It’s not just weak—it’s hostile.

For the Body of Christ, this is the great danger: trying to live spiritually while thinking carnally. It cannot work. It cannot please God.

So, what does please Him?

In Hebrews, it’s demonstrated faith. Israel is called to obey visibly, to endure hardship, and to prove their loyalty to the Messiah. Their faith must be seen. In Romans, it’s the spiritual mind. The believer is called to yield inwardly, to walk in the Spirit, and to live unto righteousness—not by effort, but by transformation. Romans chapters 6 to 8 lay out this pattern: reckon yourself dead to sin, yield to God, and let the Spirit lead. This is not performance, but surrender. And it is this which pleases God today.

To walk this way, we must reorientate our minds. Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Colossians 3:2 calls us to “set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Galatians 5:16 urges us to “walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” These are spiritual instructions is this grace dispensation. Pleasing God today is not about doing more or proving your faith, but about thinking differently and yielding your heart.

The Body of Christ must stop borrowing Israel’s instructions. We are not under law. We are not preparing for the earthly kingdom. We are seated in heavenly places, called to walk in grace, and shaped by Pauline truth. The more we renew our minds, the more we walk in the Spirit—and the more we please God.

These truths are to shape your thinking and ultimately shape your walk.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” —Romans 12:2 “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” —Galatians 5:25 “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” —Colossians 3:3 “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” —Colossians 1:10.