Rom.12:1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
[2] 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.
Our Father desires that we are able to fully understand and appreciate the “good, and acceptable, and perfect” nature of His will. And that we may “prove” the “Excellency of the power” given unto us by our Father for our sakes. We are in the “midst of a crooked and perverse nation,” but we are given by our Father the doctrine which is according to godliness to transform our minds by His “renewing” word. And by that, we will not be no longer conformed to this world, and by His doctrine unto us, we will be “able” to prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” in His sight. And so, a major aspect of godliness is being in the likeness and image of our Father and His Son and a Living epistle as the doctrine of the Holy Ghost. And one the aspects of godliness is what is “acceptable” unto God in His sight. And ‘proving’ by His word what He says is acceptable unto Him, not what we assume, or think he will view as holy, godly, and acceptable unto Him. But since the beginning, man has used his own vain heart and mind and flesh to bring forth fruit unto God, and used his own “imagination” of what ‘he thinks’ God is ‘actually trying to say.’
Gen.4:3] And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
[4] And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
[5] But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
[6] And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen?
[7] If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Moreover, man has “changed the truth of God into a lie” concerning what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Man assumes that his traditions, and vain worship today is “acceptable” in His sight, he assumes that God is well pleased by today’s activities, practices, and anything else in the local assembly other than the edifying of the body of Christ by His word alone. We must understand and fully appreciate that out Father desires that we be in His image and after His likeness, not “after” the wisdom of men and the spirit of this world. But man teaches a doctrine that is acceptable unto his own heart and mind, and his flesh. This doctrine is popular and acceptable today, just as it was in the Lord’s Day on this earth, and in the Apostle’s day. And this doctrine is very ‘fruitful’ today, and it caters to the flesh of those who desire to live unto God. But it is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ type of relationship with God.
Eph.5:8] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
[9] (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
[10] Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
[11] And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Furthermore, the true doctrine of godliness will always concern our inward man only, and our “fruit” will always be for “Christ’s sake,” not our own sakes. And as 1st Corinthians says, God has provided for them who love Him with His selfless love, the godly doctrine, which only the Spiritual mind will be “able” to discern. And the natural man with his carnal mind does not know what has “prepared for them that love Him,” so it is impossible for the carnal minded man to please Him. And proving what is acceptable unto Him will only be done by what we are taught of the Holy Ghost’s doctrine for us, and revealed unto us is the doctrine of the “mind of Christ.” And “like as Christ,” our walk ought to be based upon the sake of others, and our Father in Heaven. Having no thought and desire to please ourselves and our flesh and live by our carnal mind and assume what ‘we think’ God desires “acceptable” unto Him.
Phil.4:17] Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
[18] But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
Finally, what is acceptable unto our Father does not include our flesh or our carnal minded thinking, remember, we are being “beseeched” to be “a living sacrifice!” And being a Living Sacrifice unto our Father, we “present” unto Him nothing of ourselves, but our bodies are His “vessels” of honor, for His righteous and godly purpose and will. But the son who has desired to “cry Abba Father,” and be a “debtor” unto His for Christ’s sake knows “what” is the acceptable will of God, and even though he might not walk in a life as a son in a ‘24 hour one good work walk,’ each day he has the privilege to “prove” daily unto the Father “what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” in His sight. And so, it is vital to “know” and appreciate His Word and His Will, to know what is acceptable unto Him in His sight. But this is only accomplished by the son who operates with “the mind of Christ,” and has ‘presented’ His body a living sacrifice, knowing that his heart’s desires, and carnal mind is not the “holy and acceptable” will of God.
1st Tim.2:1] I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
[2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
[3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
[4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Rod Jones
SUPPLY OF GRACE 
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