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

One sure sign of spiritual maturity for a child of God is the ability to discern and walk in God’s perfect will. Our opening scripture highlights three phases of God’s will: the good, the acceptable and the perfect will of God. The good will is the general will of God, as revealed in the written Word of God: something that’s generally good for God and for people. An example is when the Bible tells us to go and preach the gospel; so any one of us can go and preach the Gospel; anywhere, because God said for us to do so.

There are also specific times that God leads you directly about a particular person or place. As in the case when Paul wanted to go preach in Asia, and the Bible says the Spirit of God didn’t permit him to do so (Acts 16:6-7). How come? God simply had a different plan for him at that time! Paul wanting to go preach in Asia wasn’t at variance with God’s will, but that was not God’s “perfect will” at the moment. And so the Spirit said “No, don’t go to Asia,” and he obeyed.

But then also, there’s the acceptable will of God; and it means well pleasing; that which the Lord accepts and is well pleasing to Him. An example is when David wanted to build God a temple, and God was pleased with David for having such a plan in his heart. Nonetheless, He disallowed David from building the temple and asked that his son, Solomon, should build it instead.

Though God was pleased with David’s decision to build him a house, He still said no, because it wasn’t His perfect will for David to be the one to do it. So if David had gone ahead to built it without God specifically talking to him and guiding him into His perfect will, he would have been functioning in God’s acceptable will, and that’s not God’s best. His best is for us to function in His perfect will. It’s the best place; when you’re doing that which God wants you to do, at a particular time, to fulfill His best purpose in your life!

As a Christian, if you desire to live to your highest potentials and purpose in God, and experience total fulfillment in your walk with God, strive to be in God’s perfect will. That is a sign of spiritual maturity and a place of rest. You have to move from what is good, and acceptable to what is the perfect purpose of God for you at any time, even when it doesn’t seem ‘convenient’. Then you can be guaranteed God’s utmost blessings for your life.

Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, my heart is full of gratitude to you today for the sweetness of your Word and the nourishment it brings to my spirit, soul and body! Thank you for guiding me in the path of your perfect will for my life through the guidance I receive daily from your Word and your Spirit, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

Further Study
Ephesians 5:14-18
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit

-Pastor chris