“So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Rom 8:8, NKJ)
According to Rom 12:2 there are three different levels of God’s will: the good, the acceptable and the perfect will of God. In the previous teaching we paused at the last one. John 5:30 in the Amplified Bible captures this notion best in Jesus’ words: “I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord–but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.”
This level of functioning is that of the “perfect man”. The perfect man? On this fallen earth? Yes. Matt 5:48 claims it: “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” And Paul says in Phil 3:15: “Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded …”! And in Col 4:12: “… that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God”. Wow.
Perfect? In God’s eyes, yes. Because “perfect” here means, according to Thayer: “perfect brought to its end, finished … full grown, adult, of full age, mature”. And immediately you need to realise: the three levels of God’s will correspond with the three parts of the tabernacle! In the outer court there is just the good will of God – the rain of God’s goodness that falls on believers and unbelievers alike (Matt 5:45). That which is good everyone, saved or unsaved, receives in any case out of God’s hand (James 1:17).
In the Holy Place, the second dimension, the acceptable will of God manifests. It is “useful … agreeable” (Thayer). Here your walk is characterised by an ebb and flow of good and bad happenings, depending on your obedience.
But it is only in the Holy of Holies that you can move in the perfect will of God – here we find the mature man. It’s only for him who moves in spirit and in reality in the third dimension that Heb 13:21 becomes true: “(he is) perfect in every good work to do His will …”
- Sela: Use Mark 3:35 to secure your associates for the road ahead. Tough one.
- Read: Ex 27; Ps 77; Mark 3
- Memorise: Mark 3:35
