In these times the terms good and God are seemingly synonymous . We believe that what is generally accepted as good must be aligned with God’s will. Generosity, humility, and justice are good. Selfishness, arrogance and cruelty are evil. The distinction seems pretty forward. But is that all there is to it? If good is so obvious, why does Hebrews 5:14 teach that we must have discernment to recognize it?
The apostle Paul writes, “ 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.” (Roman12:2). We cannot discern what is truly good for our lives without first having our minds renewed. Without the transformation that comes through the renewing of our minds, we miss out on the amazing, God – infused life available to us in Christ.
Before the foundation of the world, God designed a plan for your life, one that is overflowing with fulfilled purpose, immense joy, and great satisfaction. His will and plan for you are perfectly and completely good. But there is a counterfeit good that can keep you from embracing God’s best.
Sadly, many of us have settled for the knockoff. We’ve unknowingly (and at times knowingly) rejected God in pursuit of what’s apparently good.
The early church leaders repeatedly warned us about this deception. To be so deceived is to believe we’re aligned with the truth, when in actuality, we’re not. (OUCH, Careful now!) Jesus Himself warned that deception would be so cleverly concealed in our time the elect could fall prey to it. Can we treat these warnings lightly? Can we brush them off, assuming we are above deception and instinctively discern good from evil?
The good news is that God is not trying to hide His best from us. He’s not in the business of pulling the shades over our eyes. He promises that those who seek will find. If we commit to the journey of seeking truth, we will not be duped by its counterfeit. The question is, will we look to the Source of truth, or will we settle for a superficial knowledge of God and His good will? My hope is that in reading this book, we will solidify our resolve never to settle for less than God’s best.
May we pray before we begin:
Father, in Jesus’s name, open my eyes, ears, and heart to see, hear, and perceive You will for my life. Holy Spirit, teach me, deeply and profoundly, the ways of Jesus Christ as I read this message. I look to You as my Teacher. May You speak to me from every sentence of this book. May my life be changed forever. Amen.
John Bevere, author of “Good or God? Why Good Without God Isn’t Enough!”