Romans 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) _We must be delivered from this present evil age_. Galatians 1:4,
"Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this
present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father."

(3) _We must separate ourselves from the world_. 1 Thessalonians 4:3,
"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication."

(4) _We must be thankful_. 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In everything give
thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

(5) _We must continue patiently to serve and follow him_. 1 Peter
2:15, "For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to
silence the ignorance of foolish men."

All of these things are God's will for us. If we but practice them the
results can be only beneficial. As a result of such a study of God's
word the general knowledge of God and his will shall be ours.

Second: The spiritual perception spoken of in this particular scripture
may be ours, as we listen to the Spirit of God, for he will speak to us
God's message and make known to us God's will. The purpose of this
prayer of Paul's for the Colossians was that they might walk worthy to
all pleasing. What a joy it is to know that we may please God! For
this we should be grateful.

III

_Prayer for Purity_. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, "And the very God of
peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul
and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."

This prayer is also remarkable if we notice the spiritual condition of
the Thessalonians, for of them we read that they had received the word
of God with joy, and had turned from idols to serve the living God, and
yet the Apostle prays for their sanctification. By this he does not
mean sinlessness, and a careful study of his position would lead us to
know that he does not teach that sanctification may be ever apart from
growth. We must day by day come more and more into the likeness of
Christ. There are three words which it would be well for us to
remember in our study of this subject.

First: _Position_. If we would grow unto his likeness we must be where
he can let shine upon us the light of his cou