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.
With any organization or business, or relationship, all those involved with each ought to be on the ‘same page’ to be successful, and operate efficiently. And this is the case with the decision making, and how the ‘life’ of that organization or business, or relationship will successfully move forward in the future. Our Father has provided for us the renewing doctrine by which we to be “transformed” from our conformity to this world’s wisdom, and life. But we must first understand and appreciate the necessity to “be” a living sacrifice. We are beseeched to now “be” someone “acceptable unto God,” but this doesn’t mean acceptable unto God regarding salvation, but this is referring to our “reasonable service” as sons. And as sons, we are given the godly privilege to “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” day by day.
1st Cor.2:5] That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
[6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
[7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
And in accordance with this privilege, we have the “wisdom of God” that is designed to “perfect” us. And it is by His Holy Word that we prove the Spiritual things that are “good” in the sight of our Father, and prove by His Word the things that are “acceptable” in His sight, and prove by His Word things that are according to His “perfect” will, not the will of Man. And we are taught that when we are no longer conformed to this world, we will operate upon the Father’s Will, but most importantly, upon His Power, not the “power of the air.” And notice in the verses above, Paul says that, our faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” He didn’t have to mention that there was ‘another power’ involved here. We ought to understand that by operating upon the Word and Wisdom of God, we are operating upon God’s Power. And with that being said, we too ought to see that walking by the “wisdom of men,” we are being ‘subject’ unto not only another ‘competing wisdom,’ but another power as well.
1st Cor.2:9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
[10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Therefore knowing this, we are being ‘taught’ by the doctrine of the Holy Ghost, and just as man is taught by this world their wisdom, life, love, and ‘service’ unto it, and by the Word of God, we are being taught by the Holy Ghost the Spiritual things that be of God that are the “good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God in His sight. And them that “love Him” as verse 9 says will love God with His selfless “greater love,” and be a debtor, and a living sacrifice” for His sake. And when the son reads His Word, he doesn’t read God’s Word with His own flesh “in mind,” but he reads God’s Word with “the mind of Christ.” And this ‘lowliness of mind’ is the “mind” that we ought have within us, because this is how a ‘sacrifice’ thinks, a sacrifice dies. And those “things that God hath prepared for them that love Him” are ALL Spiritual things, and the things “that are not seen.” But our inward man sees these Spiritual things as “treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not us.” This is the mind of Christ thinking of a son.
1st Cor.2:12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
[13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
[14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
[15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
[16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Finally, notice Paul says, “he that is Spiritual judgeth all things,” the man that has a Spiritual mind will judge with the Spiritual mind, he will see the Spiritual things that are freely given to us of God, and rejoice, and desire to walk in the Doctrine which is according to godliness. He will now see by the Spirit (the Living Word of God) the Spiritual things that are good and profitable, and acceptable, and perfect, and “live” by these things. The son rejoices in the Spiritual privileges we are given “on the behalf” our Father, and when he reads verses like Philippians 1:29, when Paul says, “for unto you it is given on the behalf of Christ not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake,” the son sees that in this ‘Spiritual thing,’ Christ’ strength is made perfect in weakness. But sadly enough, the Saint in Christ who continues to be conformed to this world, and operate with the wisdom of men, he will view this ‘mind of Christ thinking’ as “foolish,” and when sufferings come up, he wants out, and wants to ask God to not only take away the sufferings, but unknowingly, he is asking God to take away from him what is “given on the behalf of Christ” whereas Christ’s strength is made perfect in weakness of a son for Christ’s sake.
Phil.1:29] For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
2nd Cor.12:9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
[10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Rod Jones
SUPPLY OF GRACE 
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