"Good and Acceptable and Perfect"

 

 

Part 1                   The Whole Man

 

 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12: 2.

 

Many plans are in a mans mind, but it is the Lords purpose (will) for him that will stand. Proverbs 19:21.

 

I had read Romans 12: 2 many times over the years and just as it is with a lot of scripture I really didn’t stop and meditate on it because my mind told me what I thought it meant but what I thought was only touching the surface. Remember these words, “My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts."  Isaiah 55:9.

 

While meditating on this scripture the Spirit teacher began to illuminate to my spirit exactly what I was missing from vs.2 that specifically states not a singular will or purpose for our lives but a progressive will or purpose.

 

It has to be progressive because we cannot receive regeneration one day and walk in the perfect will of God the next day. This would be impossible unless He supernaturally dropped it into our spirit all at the same time. And even then I believe that it would be too much to receive all at once. I have yet to see or hear of anyone that this has happened to. Even Jesus of Nazareth grew and became strong in spirit, in stature and was filled with wisdom. Luke 2: 40 & 52.

 

The Christian life is a life of spiritual maturity. Just as the fleshly man was born a babe and grew into a supposed mature man so it is with the spirit man who has been recreated in the image and likeness of

God. Colossians 3:10.

 

God is the creator and He knows what it takes for a new creature to grow up in Him in all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us. 2 Peter 1:3.

 

Therefore since we have a walk of spiritual progression before us it would be wise to seek wisdom and knowledge from the One who is wisdom and knowledge (Romans 11:33) and hopefully we will someday enter into that walk which is referred to, as the perfect will of God.

 

Once again this scripture comes to mind, “Meditate in the word continually, observe to do all that is written there, then we will make our way prosperous and we will have good success." Joshua 1:8.

 

Take a close look at this, “My son give attention to My words, incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes, keep them in the midst of your heart, for they are life to those who find them and health to all their flesh." Proverbs 4:20-22.

 

The Amplified says, keep the word of God in the center of your being or spirit man.

 

Why?

 

Because the word of life planted deeply within the center of our being will cause any man to overcome and to rule all temporary evil in this perverse generation in which we live. Your author can attest to this personally.

 

Do we really desire the perfect will of God for our lives? If so then we must begin at the beginning.

 

I believe that I have received and walked in the will of God at certain times in my life but I haven’t as yet walked in the perfect will of God and remained there.

 

Have you?

 

I didn’t think so.

 

I am writing this not as a perfect man but as one who longs for truth and desires to know the perfect will of God, as I’m sure all believers do. If I can help but one individual on his journey then that would be satisfactory to me.

 

To start at the beginning would be to start by looking at man as the whole person that he was created to be. I am a spirit, I have a soul and I live in a body. 1Thessalonians 5:23.

 

If we never learn who we are and how we function then I would say that it would be almost impossible to come to the place where we could ever know the will of God for our lives because Satan would always be there to hinder any progress that we may attempt to make.

 

If you don’t know that you are a spirit man created in the image and likeness of God, that your soul which consists of intellect, will and emotions, needs to be brought in line with the word of God and that the physical or flesh part of man has got to be in subjection to the spirit within, then these are the areas that need attention before we could ever hope to know the Fathers perfect will for any one of us.

 

Being conformed to the world or world system of today is no different than it was when Paul wrote to the Romans so many years ago. There is just as much evil today as there was 2,000 years ago. The same kingdom of darkness is still warring against the church whether it be individuals, couples or congregations.

 

It may seem that immorality has expanded around the world but remember where sin does abound, grace does much more abound. Romans 5: 20.

 

As long as the church is alive and well on the earth, righteousness is always available to any person who through his or her own will can enter into Gods kingdom at any time.

 

When this one calls on the name of the Lord he is saved or delivered which is certainly the perfect will of God, but this is only step number one, step two is to follow after the apostles and to be filled with the Spirit who is the teacher of us all.

 

Once the Spirit Teacher is given control then he begins step three which is the necessary act of transforming our minds until we come to the place where we can stand tall in Him and say; now I can prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 

But just as I stated before there has to be a beginning. We have to know the triune man and how he is supposed to function according to the word of God.

 

Adam and Eve walked with God in this way; the spirit man was in control and in perfect fellowship with the Father. The soulish man in turn was in subjection to the spirit and the body followed in unison and everything was perfect.

 

But as we know Adam fell from grace and the triune man became subject to a new god and slowly eased into the kingdom of darkness and now in need of redemption.

 

Redemption came from above in the form of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29. Walking with Him is the only way to once again learn about ourselves and what He wills us to do.

 

If this were true then the whole man would be in need of a reversal of the dilemma caused by the fall of the first Adam. This dilemma would be a body out of control, a soul under subjection to Satan’s will and a spirit man dead (spiritually) to his God with no hope in the world. Ephesians 2:12.

 

Therefore complete redemption must begin in the spirit man, which it does at the moment of regeneration.

 

Next comes the renewing of the mind or soul and last but not least we have the body under control once again.

 

When all of this has taken place the Lord has at His disposal the one that Paul referred to when he wrote these words, “That is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil”. Hebrews 5:14.

                                                                                                            There is a statement that was made in the book of Acts that I think is an out standing reference made by an unbeliever that pertains to the effect that the early church was having on society at the time.

 

In Acts 17 Paul is reasoning with the Jews that Jesus was indeed the Christ, it says that some of them were persuaded but the ones who were not began to stir up the people. It says, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too." Acts 17:6.

 

Now this is an amazing statement from unbelievers in that it tells us that something significant was happening that made a definite change in people’s lives. They knew that the gospel message was having an effect in those who chose to believe it but they had no revelation as to what it could be.

 

In all actuality what was happening was they were turning the world right side up. For the ones who chose to believe were changed by the Spirit of God and because they now had the nature of God within, then there was a change in them that unbelievers could never understand. When an individual is changed from a sinner to a saint simply by confessing Jesus as Lord he has now become what Paul referred to as a new creature in Christ Jesus.

 

Even to this very day when people see this change in a person’s life they know there is something different but they have no words to describe it. Many times you hear the statement, “So and so has found religion” when unknown to them it is really new life in the Lord.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                Written by: R W Nagle.  

 

    

     "Good and Acceptable and Perfect"

 

 Part 2           Good Works of the Flesh

 

 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2.

 

Many plans are in a mans mind, but it is the Lords purpose (will) for him that will stand. Proverbs 19:21.

 

In part one I stated that as I was meditating on this scripture how the Spirit Teacher began to illuminate to my spirit exactly what I had been missing, especially from Romans 12:2 that specifically states not a singular purpose or will for our lives but a progressive will for our lives.

 

I stated that it has to be progressive because we cannot receive regeneration one day and walk in His perfect will the next day. We saw that even Jesus of Nazareth grew in the things of God and He became strong in spirit, in stature and was filled with wisdom.

Luke 2: 40 & 52.

 

Therefore since we have a walk of spiritual progression before us it would be wise to seek wisdom and knowledge from the One who is wisdom and knowledge (Romans 11:33) and hopefully we will someday enter into that walk which is referred to, as the perfect will of God.

 

I believe there are three specific steps that all individuals must follow in order for them to first come to God and then to walk with Him in complete fellowship.

 

Number one has to be a spiritual birth from above or regeneration of the human spirit. 1 John 3:9.

 

Number two must be the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:4. Without Him there can be no spiritual growth whatsoever. He is the revelator.

 

Number three is also a must for without this, the infilling of the Holy Spirit would be a wasted effort. There must be a renewing of the mind by the washing of water by the word. Romans 12:2. Ephesians 5:26.

 

These three specific steps must be adhered to if any man is ever to know what Gods plan or purpose is for his life.

 

I have broken down this progression of spiritual maturity into three specific areas that I believe will surely take place in any individual’s life following his insertion into the body of Christ at the moment of regeneration.

 

The first thing he will attempt to do I have titled, good works of the flesh.

The second I have titled, acceptable works of the soul.

The third I have titled, perfect works of the spirit.

 

Before we continue let us remember that what we are studying is indeed progressive but it may not always follow a straight line as in walking from A to Z, because we are dealing with imperfect people who are easily tempted and persuaded by the enemy until such time as they enter into maturity and someday come to the place where they have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 5:14.

 

Remember these words from the writer of Hebrews, “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.” Hebrews 5:13.

 

The flesh controls most individuals before regeneration and most times it is a combination of body and soul, which are both under the influence of the kingdom of darkness. People are unaware of being controlled by another force because they are simply deceived in the area of spiritual warfare. Even though they are aware that evil surely exists in the world they are unaware that evil may exist within themselves.

 

Just as the new believer desires to please God and walk in His will for their lives so it is with children of the devil. They have taken on his desires through manipulation and deception and even profess loudly to the world that they are doing their own thing.

 

No human being that has ever lived since the fall of Adam has at any time lived for himself or followed after his own personal will. Man does not have an exact will of his own but is always either deceived by Satan or he allows himself to be led by the Spirit. The only time a persons will comes into play is when temptation arises and the person has acquired the ability to make the following decision, yes I will follow after said temptation or no I refuse said temptation.

 

In the following scriptures James makes it so very clear how men are led down the broad road of destruction. Just in case they weren’t aware as yet how they could possibly be led astray he directs their attention to temptation and deception and the end result of yielding to them.

 

He says, “Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” James 1:13 -16.

 

We know for a fact that he was writing to the church because he addresses his letter to the brethren. If this was directed to born again, Spirit filled believers, then how much more of a warning is needed for those who have no revelation of such things?

 

I have always used the term, free will principle in trying to explain why people choose to do wrong as opposed to right so many times during their life time, while other times I will use the term, a duel choice in all areas of life.

 

Some examples would be, the choice of one job over another, I feel that I should choose Betty over Barb as a life partner, or I choose to go bar hopping instead of church attendance etc.

 

Knowing what to choose in life is a matter that God the Father wants to be a part of. He has made it possible through redemption to bring us to the place where we can know His will in all that we attempt to do.

 

As I stated before it is not really our will but the will of our Father God or the will of our father the devil, depending on which one we have chosen to follow. Of course natural man will refuse to acknowledge the devil as their father, but I choose to believe Jesus words that were directed to all unbelievers when He said, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want (will) to do.”

John 8:44.

 

So it is only after regeneration which causes the life of God to enter into the spirit man that we first discover the desire to be pleasing to our heavenly Father. It is at the moment of regeneration or being born again from above that we are referred to in scripture as new creatures in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:17. This is also progressive in that we receive the new birth, we receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit, we begin to renew our minds to the word of God and we take on His desires while attempting to learn of and to follow His will for our new life.

 

This is where the good works of the flesh first begin to manifest. Because our minds are unrenewed and because we are babes in Christ, the very first thing we attempt to do are natural works which are surely blessed by God because His word tells us to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

 

Our spiritual progression can be measured by the works that we do, in that some never seem to go beyond good works, while others progress at a faster pace and move on to higher works such as those performed by Peter and John in their early ministry.

 

Yet this is no reason to ever get discouraged because His body is made up of many members and each one can be used by the Father no matter how insignificant our works may seem to us at any given time. Let us remember also the words of James when he said that faith without works is dead and he did not specify what works he was referring to. James 2:26.

 

Before coming to Christ the good works of the flesh are evident in the lives of many people but it is the motivation that makes the difference. Before my conversion I saw myself as a good person and attempted to help others as much as I could and when you do things for others you should have a good feeling about what you have done. And so many times good works and good intentions are rewarded in the natural but other times if the motivation is selfishness then this is the area where the enemy begins to overtake us and tries to draw us into his service and away from personal sincerity.

 

So it is with the new believer, if we are not careful we can also be open to Satan’s service because we are immature in the things of God and just as the word states, the devil comes as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14.

 

We have to make sure that new believers are surrounded by mature saints who know who they are in Christ and encourage them to be joined to a strong fellowship where they can perform good works of the flesh while also being encouraged to grow up in the things of the Lord.

 

Within the body of Christ, His members are doing their best to function as they see His purpose revealed to them in what could be termed as periods of growth. As we have previously stated, some grow quickly, some are slower to catch on, while others seem to be content as babes. None deserve to be criticized. Especially babes in Christ, they need to be lifted up and pampered. Note the following scripture, if you see a brother in sin, work to bring him back through restoration. Galatians 6:1.

 

We know for a fact that good works of the flesh are evident in society both in and outside the body of Christ. Most people have good intentions but let us also remember this most famous saying that exudes with natural wisdom, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

 

Written by: R W Nagle. 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

        "Good and Acceptable and Perfect"

 

Part 3               Acceptable Works of the Soul

 

 

 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2.

 

Many plans are in a mans mind, but it is the Lords purpose (will) for him that will stand. Proverbs 19:21.

 

In talking about our progression into spiritual maturity I have broken it down into three specific areas that I believe will surely take place in an individual’s life following his insertion into the body of Christ.

 

They are as follows: Good works of the flesh, acceptable works of the soul and perfect works of the spirit.

 

I also stated that what we are studying is indeed progressive, but it may not always follow a straight line, as in walking from A to Z. Why? Because we are dealing with imperfect people who are easily tempted and persuaded by the enemy, until such time as they enter into maturity, and someday come to the place where they have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:14.

 

We have seen that following the new birth, the new believer has now stepped into the will of God and seeks to know what direction He has planned for this one that Paul refers to as a spiritual babe, who is definitely unskilled in the word of righteousness. Hebrews 5:13. And just as it would be cruel and unjust to take a natural baby from the womb, place it on the floor and say, “There now, you are on your own, good luck etc.” so it is with a new creature in Christ Jesus.

 

God desires to care for His children just as the natural parents care for their children. He desires to nurture them and train them in the way that they should go; so that when they are older they will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6.

 

How does He do it?

 

The writer of Hebrews has made it plain as day when he wrote, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age (mature), that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5: 12-14.

 

In all actuality what he is trying to get across to these believers is that they have become complacent, satisfied in what they are doing with no desire to move forward.

 

In the Amplified Bible he goes deeper into their condition when he says in verse eleven, “Concerning this we have much to say, which is hard to explain, since you have become dull in your [spiritual] hearing and sluggish [even slothful in achieving spiritual insight].” In other words slow to develop spiritually.

 

In chapter six and verse one he also tells them they should not just be sitting around discussing the elementary principles of Christ, but striving to go on to perfection (maturity).

 

It is not necessary to lay a foundation that has already been laid, such as repentance, faith toward God, baptism, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. There is a danger in not growing up and progressing in the things of God, seeking to be strong in faith. Remember, the devil walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8. Just as a lion trails behind the herd praying on the slow and sickly so does the devil with the body of Christ.

 

We noted in part two that new believers need to be surrounded by mature saints who know who they are in Christ and to encourage them as they begin to grow and perform the good works of the flesh.

 

Each member of the body has a part to play and we are doing our best to function as we see His purpose revealed to us in what we termed as periods of growth.

 

So as the believer grows, he will eventually step into what we agreed to as the acceptable works of the soul. Now this is the area where Satan has his greatest victories concerning the body of Christ. Remember the soulish realm consists of the emotions, the intellect and the carnal will. Once the new believer has joined a fellowship and surrounds himself with supposedly mature Christians you would assume that all is well and he is firm in his faith. Not so.

 

Satan has had two thousand years or more to practice his deception on the church and he is good at his job. To see the proof of this statement just do a careful review of church history and you will see more evidence of this than you may care to acknowledge. Didn’t Jesus tell us plainly that the thief (Satan) comes not but for to steal, to kill and to destroy. If you have been in the church for any length of time then you have surely seen it for yourself.

 

Too many times the battles and skirmishes against the saints have been fought and won by the enemy in the realm of the soul. Take the emotions for instance, have you ever been offended by a Christian brother or sister? I can remember as a new creature in Christ while attending a small fellowship in my area the very first time that I took offense by something that was said by a fellow believer. It took me a long time to get over it and that was just one instance of many over the years.

 

The emotions of the human being are probably the hardest area in life to gain control of. Even the Lord in the garden of Gethsemane suffered greatly in His soul when it came time to put His will aside and take up the Fathers will. It was only because he was built up in the spirit man that he was able to move on to the cross.                 Luke 22:43. Amp.

 

Many souls have been lost because of little or no true spiritual guidance in their lives. Which confirms the fact that a strong fellowship of mature believers is needed if a spiritual babe is going to make it to maturity.

 

Another type of deception that is very successful against the church is the area of the carnal intellect. Paul very clearly defines him in the first chapter of Romans.  Paul says this one who thinks himself smarter than God, becomes futile in his thoughts, his foolish heart becomes darkened and professing to be wise, he becomes a fool.

 

Now of course this is referring to the unrighteous, but don’t be fooled, intellectualism has crept into the church unannounced and has made very strong inroads during the twentieth century. We have seen deceivers come out of the church more than at any other time in history.

 

Look at this, for there are many disorderly and unruly men who are idle (vain, empty) and misleading talkers and self-deceivers and deceivers of others. Titus 1:10a. How true this is concerning the cults and all of the new age teaching. Even many mainline churches are being persuaded towards intellectual and social gatherings rather than worshipping in spirit and in truth. John 4:24.

 

Of course all of this deception is due to the watering down of the truth. Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32. Someone might say, “What is truth?” Truth is anything that proceeds from the mouth of God. We have enough truth in the word of God (the Bible) to set us free from anything the enemy may throw our way.

 

Why else would we be commanded by the apostle to renew our minds with the word of God so as not to be conformed to the world around us.

 

Once we start to renew our minds there is definitely a transformation that begins to take place within us.

 

Jesus taught the parable of the sower. The sower is the one who shares the word or sows the seed, the enemy comes and tries to steal the word that was sown, out of the heart or spirit man, He enlightens us as to the means used to try and steal the word. There are five specific areas where this is appropriated, they are, tribulation, persecution, cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches and desires for other things. Then he finishes by telling us who the ones are who bear fruit, they are the ones who hear the word, accept it as truth and allow it to take root.

 

Now we can clearly see why Satan fights against the word of life more than anything else in the world. He does not want this word to take root within the believer. Why? Because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, and faith in the heart causes man to begin to act like his Father and he knows from experience what happens when a Son begins to act like His Father.

 

He begins to speak His faith and in the mouth of a fully persuaded man of God, Satan has no defense whatsoever. He remembers these words ever so clearly, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4.

 

When a believers mind is renewed to where he knows how to wield the sword of the spirit then we can safely assume that he is already practicing the acceptable works of the soul and he is probably one step away from spiritual maturity, where the perfect works of the spirit are just ahead, and he is more than ready to speak to the mountain in his life.

 

Which brings us to the place where the God kind of faith is ready to burst upon the scene and these words from the Master are about to ring true, “Have faith in God, for assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart (inner man) but believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11: 22-24.

 

Written by: R W Nagle.         

 

      

 

    

   

        "Good and Acceptable and Perfect"

 

Part 4                   Perfect Works of the Spirit

 

 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2.

 

I say then, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16.

 

How many men have attempted to walk in the Spirit and have failed miserably? Could it have been because they were conformed to this world and not transformed by the renewing of their minds? Therefore it would have been impossible for them to prove, what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 

I believe the Spirit Teacher has given me this particular revelation concerning spiritual growth as a means of helping those who may be stumbling as babes in Christ and are in need of solid food which may not be available to them from another source.

 

What exactly does it mean, to be conformed to this world?

 

Webster defines conform as follows: To be in agreement or harmony.

 

So if we are conformed to this worlds system then we are surely acting as mere men and living harmoniously with their ways and deeds. I’m sure it means to get down and dirty with the unrighteous and to be involved with their wickedness.

 

What does Brother Paul have to say about this?

 

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:12-14.

 

Who better to learn from than Paul the apostle?

 

Was Paul insinuating that believers were actually practicing unrighteousness?

 

Yes, and that is the reason that he had to practice tough love when writing to these early Christians. Have you ever noticed in his writings that he had to be both stern and caring at the same time? Why? Because most of the church, including today, were babes who were still in need of milk and not solid food. Hebrews 5:12.                                            

                                                                                                                                                                          Paul was the number one nursery attendant of all time; he surely had his share of bottle feedings, burpings and diaper changes every time he made a personal visit to one of the local churches. For this reason alone I pray that God will richly bless our pastors and their wives.

 

We have been looking at the progressive will of God for our lives and we have discovered that it cannot be a singular will that has been dropped into our spirit supernaturally because no one can be born again one day and walk in the perfect will of God the next day.

 

Why?

 

Because Gods way is the best way and His way is to be born from above and to walk by faith in Him by hearing and hearing His word until it begins to reshape our lives from the spirit man outward, taking control of the soul and eventually having our senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:14.

 

I have shared before about the mountain in my life and how I had my faith built up to the point where I was just holding on by a thread, but it was enough to where I could begin to make my way out of despair, by taking authority over my situation one minute at a time, then one hour at a time and eventually one day at a time. Then once I had my days under control the Lord began to teach me how to bring my life under control through spiritual growth.

 

Although I had put into practice the things that had precipitated my fall I knew He would never leave me nor forsake me but He would always be my Lifeline no matter what the enemy may throw my way. I came to the realization that I could be deceived just as easily as any of God’s children who had not been built up completely on their most holy faith. Jude 1:20.

 

Jesus said in John 10:10b, “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows),” which corresponds with Deuteronomy 28:2 which says, “And all these blessings shall come upon you and over take you.”

 

Someone might say, “There sure ain’t no blessings comin’ my way brother.”

 

Well just maybe the last part of verse two has the answer for you, sister. Look at this, If “you obey” the voice of the Lord your God.

 

Low and behold it goes on to tell me that if I walk in obedience to the word I will be blessed beyond measure. Verse 9, “If I keep the commandments of the Lord and walk in His ways.” Verse 13, “If I heed the commandments and are careful to observe them.” Verse 14 firmly states, “You shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day.”

 

What does all of this mean to me as a believer living by faith under a new covenant, propagated by the One whose name is above every name, and is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us? Ephesians 3:20.

 

When I looked at this verse from the Amplified Bible I had to pause and meditate on it for awhile before it began to sink in.

 

Look at this, Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams] --  

 

I have a hard time believing this but this word is telling us that we cannot pray, desire, think, hope or dream high enough to ever come close to what His purpose is toward us that is working within us, as we progress toward spiritual maturity. This is the higher life personified. When Jesus said abundant life who would have guessed that He meant superabundance.

 

The word tells us that His power is at work within us enabling us to carry out his purpose.

 

And what might that purpose be? And could it be that we are closing in on the perfect works of the Spirit? Unlike those of the church in Sardis. Revelation 3:2.

 

I think that the early church understood His words all too well and when the time came they were ready to proceed as the Promise of the Father engulfed them, and they were more than ready to go into all the world with His message of eternal life and deliverance for all men.

 

I made this statement in part three and I think it applies here as well, “When a believers mind is renewed to where he knows how to wield the sword of the Spirit then we can safely assume that he is already practicing the acceptable works of the soul and he is probably one step away from spiritual maturity, where the perfect works of the spirit are just ahead.”

 

Jesus taught us that the word of God is the sword of the Spirit and he showed us how to wield it during His confrontation with the devil and we can be assured that he cringes at the thought of hearing, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

 

So what is it that we have learned?

                                                                                                                                                                         Could it be that the transformation of the renewed mind through the word of faith, allows the believer to prove for himself, what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God for his life?

 

Written by: R W Nagle.