[taken from my book: Understanding God]
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,” Paul wrote to the Romans, “that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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 12:1-2].
How is God’s desire for our service to Him reasonable? How is it reasonable for a believer to surrender their life—not for a short time, not in part, but—in total and for all time to God’s Will? The answer lies in the logic in three traits that define His will for us: good, acceptable, and perfect. And these three coincide remarkably well to the three aspects of how we understand and learn: what is unchanged, what we can relate to, and what answers to our interest in How much?
1. Good – God’s Will is in substance and nature unchangingly and purely good. How should we understand James 1:17 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” His Will for us is faithful as it is true with “ no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” God, Himself is good, Asaph wrote in Psalm 73:1. Goodness is the indispensable quality of a holy and loving God—a God who changes not [Malachi 3:6].
His Will is reasonable because it is always and only good, never varying or diminishing or becoming other than purely good. His goodness, who He is remains constant and steadfast, unrepentant in love and mercy.
Even Darius, King of the Persians when he saw Daniel was not eaten by the Lions in the den, realized that “God is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end [always]” [Daniel 6:26]. His mercies are sure [Isaiah 55:3]. His Spirit our guarantee [2 Corinthians 1:22]. Great is His faithfulness [Lamentations 3:23]. Our trust can be in Him; so strong is our assurance that we are completely at peace no matter where His will leads us [Isaiah 26:3].
2. Acceptable – The word is well-pleasing, not only to God but to the believer who obeys. We serve Him not under duress or fear but gladly, joyously, happily. We are David crying,”Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.” [Psalm 25:4-5]. We have toyed with our own wills; we have listened to other voices who claimed wisdom; we tried other ways, foolishly. There is no pleasure that can quench that inner thirst for a meaningful life and happiness but the joy of pleasing our Lord.
His will is reasonable because we have proven there is none other as His will that brings a sure happiness.
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount called us blessed [happy] when we serve and follow Him [Matthew 5:3-12]. It is a joy no longer dependent on circumstances for meaning.
3. Perfect – His will is complete. How much of my life does it encompass? How much of me does it require? Every part and all of me. It has transformed my thinking, given me a new mind, a new perspective, divine insight into God’s heart, and a clearer and ever expanding understanding of God’s Word— and of Himself, also. I hear Paul exclaiming with a resolute conviction, “I am alive in Him; yet not I, but Christ is alive in me: and the life which I now live in this flesh I live because of the faithfulness of God’s Son, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
His Will is reasonable because it answers to every need, every concern, every desire, every want, every dream I have ever had or might have.
