GOD'S WILL OR YOUR WILL (PART 3)
TEXT:
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans chapter 12 verse 2, King James Version).
Having established that we come to the knowledge of God's will through His Word, let's talk a bit about the three successive phases or levels of God's will.
From the Scripture reading for today, the Bible makes us understand that through the process of mind renewing with the Word of God, we are able to "prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.". Like I said, these three phrases, "good", "acceptable" and "perfect" represent three phases in our perception of God's will.
As we encounter God's will in our lives, the first thing we discover is that it is "good". Everyone who does the will of God ultimately finds out that it is a good thing to do. This is basically because our God is a good God. In the Book of Genesis, we discover that every of His creative acts was "good". Similarly, the Bible reveals that His thoughts towards us are good and aren't evil (see Jeremiah chapter 29 verse 11). For instance, in Genesis chapter 2 verse 18, God said "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." Marriage therefore, being God's will is "good". As our heavenly Father, God never wants anything bad for any of His children.
As we progress doing God's will, we again come to know that His will is "acceptable" or "well-pleasing" not only to Him, but to us as well. In other words, the more we attain God's will in our lives, the more we want to embrace it, moreso as it conforms to our purpose for living. This is in line with what the Bible says in 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 verse 9:
"Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him."
The third phase or level of God's will is that, as we move on in the perception and the application of it, we realize that it is “perfect” or complete. The whole, complete will of God covers all areas of our lives, aiming at our total perfection. The truth is that the proportion to which we attain God's will in our lives, determines our reflection of His own perfection in us. This is the ultimate purpose of God for us in our walk with Him. God earnestly desires our perfection. Jesus said,
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
(Matthew chapter 5 verse 48; see also James chapter 1 verse 4).
Finally, let me reiterate that the aim of the exhortation under consideration is simple. It is that we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds, to the end that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God, so that we would not be conformed to the world (Romans chapter 12 verse 2). The Christian should see himself (his spirit) as already changed, but not so is his soul and body. Remember that your body is basically your soul's caboose. In other words, your body will go the direction your soul goes. Here comes the need to renew our minds with God's Word in order to get ourselves to continually think of God's thoughts (see Philippians chapter 4 verse 8). It is in consequence thereof that we can experience the transformation that we so dearly need in life. After all, as a man thinks in his heart, so he is (Proverbs chapter 23 verse 7).
Brethren, it's not a good testimony for one who's called a child of God to continue to think and do things the old or worldly way, despite his having received Christ as Lord and Savior of his life.
PRAYER:
Father, thank You for helping me to do Your will always. Your will is not only good, well-pleasing and perfect, I've come to understand that by doing Your will, I'm delivered from being conformed to the world.