God's Good, Pleasing, and Perfect Will

THE DAILY WORD
By Jim Seekamp

Tuesday April 1, 2008

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Notice that renewing your mind ties in with knowing God's will!! And not just His "good" will or His "pleasing" will, but His PERFECT will! This verse separates God's will into three categories. You can settle for only doing the "good" will of God, or you can do better and do His "pleasing" will, or you can go all out and do His PERFECT will!

If we renew our minds with God's Word, we can see-- from His Word-- what His good, pleasing, and perfect will is!

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)
1. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- 2. for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4. who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

It is "good" in God's eyes to PRAY! Prayer is something we will do whether we are doing God's good, pleasing, or perfect will. For a believer, prayer is like breathing: it is necessary for our survival! Prayer gives us, and others, HOPE!

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
And without faith it is impossible to please God...

Doing God's PLEASING will is acting in faith on His Word. It is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him without FAITH! Of course, we're talking about the God-kind of faith here, the kind that moves mountains. If we are going to be effective against satan, and effective in our ministry, it is necessary to walk by faith. And it pleases God.

And finally, God's PERFECT will:

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:6 (NIV)
31. But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
1. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10. but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
11. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

If we pray, that gives hope. If we walk in faith in God's Word, it will help both us and others in miraculous ways. But if we walk in LOVE, we leave an everlasting impression on those we come in contact with; we exhibit Jesus Christ to others. God IS love, and when we walk in love, we reflect God accurately to the world.

The very best we can do is to do all three: God's good, pleasing, AND perfect wills! If we stay in prayer, walk by faith in God's Word, and walk in love towards others, we are being as effective as we can possibly be!

PRAYER
Thank You Father for Your life-giving Word. Thank You for telling me how to carry out Your will on this earth. Help me fulfill my personal ministry as effectively as possible, by staying in prayer, walking by faith, and walking in love.
Help me to follow the leadings of Your Holy Spirit every day.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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