"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT KNOWING THE WILL OF GOD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT KNOWING THE WILL OF GOD"

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:2 And 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.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

This 12th Chapter of Romans begins the practical application of the Epistle. The first 11 chapters explained how God saves men, and from here on till the end, it about how saved men are to live. The very first issue Paul explains about living the Christian life, is how we are to know the will of God. Or to put it another way, it's how we can experience God's will in our lives.

1. God gives us the opportunity to know His will.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
Here's how it reads in the NLT. Rom 12:1a And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.

This is not a command, but a plea, and an invitation. God invites you to give yourself to Him. It's been said, that we can have as much of God as we want. And, God is willing to give as much of Himself to us as we want.
But, we must make ourselves available to Him, that is step number one.

2. God will receive you as you you place yourself at His disposal.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,

God will accept you as you place yourself at His disposal. He saved You for a reason. And if you will present your body to God, He will welcome you, and He will begin working in your life to show you His will. He will accept you as you give yourself to Him.

3. God has been so merciful to you, that you giving yourself to Him is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

You can see at the end of this verse, that giving yourself to God is your reasonable service. In light of all that He has done for you in saving you and justifying you by His grace, it's the only logical and reasonable thing to do. Give yourself to God.
When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? No.

4. God wants you to not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2 And 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.

The first part of this verse explains what we should not do. We should not allow the world to conform us. It will if we are not careful. This is why the Lord states it so clearly. Do not be conformed to this world. Don't live the way the world lives.
Or don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world,

5. God promises that you will experience His will if you follow the teaching in these 2 verses.
Romans 12:2 And 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.

Here's how this verse reads in the NLT Rom 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

So along with not copying the ways of the world, we are to let God transform and change us. He brings about this change by changing the way we think and He does that through His Word.

If we follow this instruction we will find ourselves personally experiencing the will of God for our lives. And how pleased God will be to reveal His will to you.

Some questions:

1. Are you not thankful for God's having saved you?

2. Isn't it wonderful that He has been so merciful to you?

3. And, isn't it a blessing to know that you can give yourself to Him and experience His will for your life?

4. Please take a few moments to read the verses and let them sink in, and soak your heart and your mind in them.

5. Do you want to know God's will?

6. Do you believe God will reveal it to you if you follow His instructions?

A prayer:

Father these two verses are so pivotal for the christian. They take us from being saved to growing into the knowledge of Your will. Thank You that You have a will for us, and that it's Your good pleasure to make that will known to us. Lord please help us understand that to know Your will we must follow Your guidance, and come to You on Your terms. Thank You for Your grace , Your mercy, and Your love. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.