What Is The Good, Acceptable & Perfect Will Of God?

What Is Good and Acceptable and Perfect
Thoughts on Romans 12:2
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By John Piper September 29, 2004
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http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2004/1269_What_Is_Good_and_Acceptable_and_Perfect
When we were focusing attention on Romans 12:2 you may recall that I did not say much about the last part of the verse. Verse 2 says, “ Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” I said almost nothing about those last three words: good, acceptable, perfect. So I ask now, What do they tell us?

First, they are not telling us that there are three different things God wills: good things, acceptable things, and perfect things. He is not saying that some things that God wills are good (and not acceptable to God), and other things are acceptable to God (and not good).

In other words, “good” is one way of describing the will of God, and “acceptable” is another way of describing it.

When Paul insists that “good” acts are the will of God, he is making sure that we do not treat Christianity as a mystical religion with no concrete moral demands. He is saying: there is good and evil in the world. God wills the good. Do good things, and you will be doing the will of God. Don’t just have mystical experiences and call yourself a Christian. Ask: What is good? And do it. That is the Christian way of walking in the will of God.

However, that’s risky talk. It sounds moralistic. That is, lots of “moral” people try to do what’s “good,” but are not Christian. There are moral crusades of all kinds that are not grounded in God, let alone Christ. So Paul goes further and adds “acceptable.” He means “acceptable to God.” The same word is used in verse 1 where acceptable is explicitly related to God. (“Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.”)

Therefore, what Paul is doing with this word is defining the “good” as good in relation to God. “By euareston (acceptable) he underlines the fact that the goodness which is in question is no anthropocentric goodness but a goodness determined by the revelation of God’s will, a matter of obedience to God’s commandments” (C.E.B. Cranfield, Romans, vol. 2, p. 610). In other words, it will not do to just say: “the good” is God’s will. Rather we must say: the good is defined by God’s will. That is, the good is what is acceptable—to God. That’s what Paul says.

Then comes the final word which defines the will of God in Romans 12:2, namely, the word, “perfect” (teleion). Could it be anything else? Well, you may have to keep in mind the distinction I made in the sermon from August 22, 2004 (What Is the Will of God and How Do We Know It?) between the sovereign will of God and the revealed will of God. I said that the New Testament speaks, on the one hand, of God’s will as everything that comes to pass under God’s sovereignty, including sinful acts like the murder of Jesus (Acts 4:27-28) and the persecution of Christians (1 Peter 3:17; 4:19). But, on the other hand, it also speaks of the will of God as what God commands, which never includes sin! For example, “This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). What God commands is his will. And God never commands us to sin.

When Paul says that we should be transformed in the renewal of our minds so that we can discern and do what is the will of God (Romans 12:2), he means the revealed will of God and its proper applications to life. He does not mean: try to figure out God’s sovereign plan and do it. That is God’s secret. We are to do his revealed will and leave the sovereign running of the universe to him.

So let’s go back to the word “perfect.” We should discern and do what is the will of God: what is good and acceptable and perfect. What’s Paul saying? He’s saying: strive to know and do the good, namely what is pleasing to God, namely, what is perfect. It cannot be otherwise. God will not command imperfection. His goal for us is perfection. Indeed, from the beginning to the end of the Bible his demand from us is perfection.

When God said to Adam, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eatof it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17), he did not mean: “if you eat a little bit of it, you won’t die,” or: “if you eat it only once, you won’t die,” or: “if you have a good excuse, you won’t die.” He meant: perfectly obey this command, or you die.

Jesus said, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). And Romans 12:2 says, Be transformed so that you can do what is perfect. Is this not why Paul puts all of Romans 12 under the banner of mercy: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God. . . .” All of Romans 12 is based on the first 11 chapters of Romans. And those chapters are about God’s mercy in Christ. This is what saves us in spite of our imperfection. And Romans 6 and 7 make it plain that this imperfection continues into our Christian lives.

So the command of verse 2 that we do what is “good, acceptable, and perfect” throws us back again on the “mercies of God” in Christ. And this mercy sends us back again to pursue perfect obedience. No one can stand at the cross receiving mercy and be casual about the will of God. The cross impels us with great gratitude and hope and joy to cut off our hands, if we must, to follow Christ. So let us live at the cross for merciful blessing, and let us carry the cross in merciful obedience.

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A Conversation with Three Pastors

The following link is to a specific program of Dr. Al Mohler's daily radio broadcast. These men are examples of pastors that have led their Churches in renewal toward being more God centered and mission conscious.

A Conversation with Three Pastors

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Good News: 13 Tears

From my friend Vic Dove

By Vic Dove

“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto Salvation to everyone that beliveth.” Romans 1:16

The morning of April 20th 1999 was pretty much like any other in Littleton, Colorado. This was just another day it seemed for Rachel Scott as she got out of bed, did her devotional, took a shower and began thinking about what in the world she would wear to school. However, this day would prove to be a day filled with pain and suffering for not only Rachel and the town of Littleton, Colorado, but for the nation and for the whole world.

Two guys, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, decided that on the 110th anniversary of Adolph Hitler’s birthday, April 20th, 1999, they would walk into Rachel’s high school with automatic weapons at around 11:30 am and begin shooting everything that moved. After killing 12 students, one of which was Rachel Scott, and one teacher; the two boys Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold turned their guns on themselves and this terrible event in history came to an end.

Rachel Scott’s life ended that day, but her legacy will live forever. You see Rachel was a saved devout Christian. With a gun pointed at her head she was asked by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold did she still believe in God, she said and I quote “I am not going to apologize for speaking the name of Jesus, if I have to sacrifice everything I will.” The boys said so be it, and shot her in the head.

Rachel Scott was not only a martyr for the gospel; she was a prophetess of sort. You see, in her journal she had many entries concerning her spiritual life, and she had numerous sketches of different images.

Her final sketch inspired a book, written by her parents, called "Rachel's Tears". That drawing was a picture of her eyes shedding 13 tears that touch a rose and turn to blood drops. The rose is growing out of a Columbine plant and is connected to a verse from the Bible that says, "Greater love has no man than this, that a man would lay his life down for his friends". Within 2 hours of Rachel drawing that picture 13 people had been killed at Columbine: A teacher and 12 students. That week was Easter, or Passover Week, and just 2,000 years earlier another teacher and 12 students had impacted the world." (Jesus and the 12 Apostles)

Rachel may have been the first student shot that day, but her devout love for God and His Son Jesus Christ helps us all remember that she was not ashamed of the Gospel. Ten years have pasted since this tragic event. Rachel’s life, though brief, will be etched in our hearts forever.

May God Bless You and Your family
Bro. Vic

Getting The Gospel Right

Sunday, July 19, 2009 AM Sermon Outline

Text: Mark 8:27-38

Peter and disciples thought that they comprehended the Gospel, but they didn’t… Mark 8:27-33
· The disciples perverted the Gospel from being God centered and made it man centered [But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Mark 8:33 (ESV)]
· We will spend a lifetime, actually an eternity comprehending and seeking to understand the Gospel and its’ implications… And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, {7} in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Eph 2:6-7 NIV)

Getting The Gospel Right Means:
1) Jesus Is The Gospel – vs.34
2) Jesus Is Greater Gain (Than) – vs.34-36, 38
3) Jesus Solves Our Divine Need For Forgiveness – vs.37

Getting The Gospel Right Means:
1) Jesus Is The Gospel – vs.34
A) And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 8:34 (ESV)
B) (Mat 13:44-46 NIV) "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. {45} "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. {46} When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

2) Jesus Is Greater Gain (Than)
A) Self – vs.34
• Possessing God’s will becomes our passion…
B) Pain – vs.34
• Loving God unconditionally becomes our passion…
• Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him… (Job 13:15 NIV)
C) Shame – vs.34, 38
• Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-- for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"-- (Gal 3:13 NASB)
• Worried about what others think…
• Who are you going to offend – God or people? You are going to offend, the question is “Who?”
D) Control – vs.34-35 “follow me” &…
• Yielding control of our lives to Christ…
E) Possessions – vs.36
• When possessions become our focus they are idols…
• Idols enslave us…
• Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; {19} but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. (Mark 4:18-19 NIV)

3) Jesus Solves Our Divine Need For Forgiveness – vs.37
Mark 8:37 (ESV) For what can a man give in return for his soul?
A) Forgiveness is a divine problem… Ps 51:4 – “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight” We have offended God!
B) Our offense has been so egregious, having sinned and having broken our capacity to reflect the image of God… only God can restore that capacity…
C) Unpack the following verse… “Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit… But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah” Psalms 49:7-9, 15 (ESV)
D) Luke 5:17-26
• And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Luke 5:21 (ESV)

A Tale of Two Funerals

(from http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/2009/07/a-tale-of-two-funerals.html)
Wednesday July 8, 2009
While 31 million people were watching Michael Jackson's memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7th, I joined a few hundred people at Life Point Church in Smyrna, TN for the funeral of 17-year-old Gabe Brewer, the son of Chris Brewer, my friend of many years. Chris and his friend Tim Miles helped me write my first book. Chris and I have traveled to Romania to teach church planting. And, I know how much Chris and Judy loved Gabe.

Many have shared their thoughts on the passing of a pop culture icon, and the spectacle that was his very public memorial service. I don't want to rehash what others have said so well about our culture's habit of deifying and worshiping men whose talents and gifts should point us to the giver of all good things, but I was so struck by these two different services I am compelled to talk about it.

Michael Jackson was one of the most famous men of his lifetime, selling over 300 million records, earning hundreds of millions of dollars, and was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-- twice. And if you're over 30 and under 70 you owned the Thriller album. Don't lie, you know you did. Everyone had it.

Gabe Brewer was entering his senior year at Lancaster Christian Academy. He loved the Lord and his family. He was a leader among his peers, a good student, and played football and soccer. Chris told some wonderful stories in our time together and at the funeral. Gabe's faith and passion were clear.

Only one of these men was famous before men, but both were precious to God and stood before Jesus when they died. And, I saw both services the same day.

Against the advice of many, Chris preached his own son's funeral. I am glad he did.

He called men and women to faith in Christ... and then asked them to come forward to counselors waiting at the front. The song they sang was "Give Me Jesus," which was the song that they sang together a few days before as Gabe left this earth and came into the loving arms of Jesus.

Listen to the words. You can see Chris at the front inviting people to Christ, Gabe's picture is on the screen, and the people responding are at the front. I originally made this short and grainy video to send to Chris later on, but he encouraged me to post it here so that others might be blessed by Gabe's life and his faith.

Gabe Brewer Funeral Clip from Ed Stetzer on Vimeo.

Millions tuned in to watch Jackson's memorial service where the King of Pop was remembered, and his work was lifted up. Everyone looked back, and it seemed there was nothing to look forward to. The golden casket seemed, at least to me, a sad reminder that not even a Pharaoh could take wealth into eternity.

A few hundred gathered at Gabe Brewer's funeral where the young man was remembered. But while we all looked back at the life Gabe lived, Chris also called us to look back to the One who gave his life that we might find ours; to Him who was raised from the dead victorious over death. And he called everyone there to look forward-- to the rest of our lives and called everyone there to repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ.

Gabe didn't have a golden casket, but he is walking on streets of gold.

This was quite the contrast.

Thanks, Gabe, for your life. Thanks Chris for your witness. And, I pray for Chris and Judy in their pain and loss.

I remember the day I watched my teenage sister die of cancer. There are few things as painful. And, contrary to all the platitudes of well-meaning Christians, there are often few answers this side of eternity. But, I know this: Gabe, and his parents, are in the love and care of a loving Father.

Posted on July 8, 2009 at 8:16 PM ~ 11 Comments

All I Really Wanted Was a Dad

The following quotes speak to the realities of the longings and desires of our hearts.

“Through the grace of God, I have been fortunate to have achieved many of my artistic and professional aspirations realized early in my lifetime. But these, friends are accomplishments, and accomplishments alone are not synonymous with who I am. Indeed, the cheery five-year-old who belted out Rockin’ Robin and Ben to adoring crowds was not indicative of the boy behind the smile. . . I am the product of a lack of a childhood. . . when I was young I wanted more than anything else to be a typical little boy. I wanted to build tree houses, have water balloon fights, and play hide and seek with my friends. . . There was no respite from my professional life. . .


“My father was a managerial genius and my brothers and I owe our professional success, in no small measure, to the forceful way that he pushed us. He trained me as a showman and under his guidance I couldn’t miss a step. But what I really wanted was a Dad. I wanted a father who showed me love. And my father never did that.”

-Michael Jackson, speech at the Oxford Union, March 6, 2001

"God seemed like a big scorekeeper in the sky"

Click on the link below to read a wonderful testimony of God's redemption and salvation.
"God seemed like a big scorekeeper in the sky" Source: blog.marshillchurch.org

Disneyland Musical Marriage Proposal