. . . that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. -Romans 12:2
It’s easy to get caught up in life so that we live on autopilot. As Christians we should know that living should be more than merely getting caught up in the rapids of life. Someone has said, “Any dead fish can flow downstream, it takes a living fish to swim against the tide.” As Christians, the ambassador representatives of God on this planet, God wants us to swim against the flow. Therefore, we should always prayerfully ask, “Lord, what do You want me to do? It’s important we seek to know the will of God for our lives.
But how can we discern the “will of God”? And why should we even care to discern the will of God? Those questions are what we will address in this teaching. If you want to know God’s will, do this, do what follows.
At the beginning of the final section of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, the section on practical application of what he’s been inspired by God to teach in the first eleven chapters, Paul starts by telling his readers how they can know God’s will in applying what they have learned. This is a pivotal point in Paul’s letter because doctrinal intake without life application leads to spiritual constipation. The teaching of doctrine and truth is wonderful. It is enjoyable and enlightening. But unless we apply it to our lives in the power of the Holy Spirit, it is worthless. This is why Romans 12:1-2 are pivotal to the entire letter of Paul to the church in Rome.
Romans 12:1-2 are transitional verses. These two verse tell us prerequisites to know God’s will. They tell us the attitude needed to discern and receive God’s will. How you receive these two verse determines whether you will have a fruitful or fruitful life in Christ.
Romans 12:1-2 states:
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. 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.
Let’s dissect these two verses to see what is needed to discern God’s will.
Preparing Your Heart to Know God’s Will
The first step in knowing God’s will is to get our heart in a right position to receive His will. We do this through prayer and spending time in the presence of the Lord so that He can point out areas where we need a spiritual adjustment. If our heart is not right when we seek God’s will, we will have a distorted and warped view of what God’s will is. This is an essential first step in discerning God’s will.
1 I beseech you
The word “beseech” (Greek parakaleo) is a word that means to call near, i.e., invite, implore, beseech, call for, comfort, desire, exhort, entreat. It is a word also translated pray elsewhere. Here it is as though Paul is calling his readers close to tell them something very important, something that is very important for them to act on. It’s as though he is saying, “Come close my brothers and sisters, let’s huddle so I can tell you the next play of this game of life.”
therefore,
Whenever you see the word “therefore,” in scripture (or really anywhere when reading) you should always ask, “Why is ‘therefore’ there?” “Therefore” is a transition word; it introduces a response or call to action based on what has preceded.
Paul is transitioning from doctrinal to practical. Doctrinal truth without practical application is useless. Jesus taught:
Luke 6:46-48 (NKJV)46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
There are many other exhortations and instructions in scripture to do or apply God’s word in life (e.g., Luke 11:28; John 13:17; Philippians 4:8-9; James 1:22-25; 4:17; 1 John 2:3-6; 3 John 11; Revelation 22:7). If we don’t apply to life in a practical way what we learn, it’s useless to us.
Students of Inductive Bible Study know that the three parts of Bible study are to Observe and Ask questions of the passage. Then we interpret by answering these questions. But the last part is critical to the worth of our study. The third part is to Apply what is learned in the passage. Ask, “What does this mean to me? How can I apply this to my life and the life of others?”
brethren,
Paul is speaking to “brethren,” those who know Jesus personally as Savior. He is speaking to those who have been forgiven of their sins by grace through faith in Jesus just as he has explained in the doctrinal section of Romans (Romans 1-11).
The first and most important step in knowing God’s will, is knowing God through faith in Jesus. Jesus said:
John 17:3 (NKJV) – 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
The words “may know” translate the Greek verb to know (γινώσκωσιν – ginoskosin) in the present tense subjunctive case of the verb which conveys the idea of possibility, of knowing God and Jesus in an ongoing continual way. Therefore, it is possible to know God and Jesus and know them in an ongoing continual way.
To “know” God and Jesus means to know absolutely, to perceive, to understand, to learn to know, to know. The idea is to know personally or intimately. To know God like you know other people. We know our spouse or our children or our friends or others. Here we should seek to know God more intimately and truly than all others because he is our Creator, Redeemer, Savior, and Sustainer. God and Jesus are our all-in -all and it is a wonderful thing that we have the opportunity to know our God personally. But how can we “know” God and Jesus?
by the mercies of God,
How then can the sinner be saved from their sins? BY THE MERCIES OF GOD. It’s important we understand a few terms of salvation in order to understand how we can come to know God.
JUSTICE is getting what you deserve. As a sinner we deserve the consequences of our sinfulness and to spend eternity separate from God. Sin offends God because it harms those He loves Habakkuk 1:14; Psalm 66.18). Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Sin produces a wage of death in us (Romans 6:23).
MERCY is not getting what we deserve. God in His mercy spares us the consequences of our sin.
GRACE is getting what we don’t deserve. Not only does God spare us from the consequences of our sins, but He blesses even though we don’t deserve His blessings.
EVERY GOOD THING IN OUR LIVES IS FROM GOD (James 1:17). PRAISE HIM!
The Holy Spirit convicts sinners of their sin of not believing in Jesus, of their sinful attempt to rely on their good works to offset and save them from sin, and that if they persist in such thinking they will be judged just like the devil (John 16:8-11).
In response to this conviction by the Holy Spirit, God has provided good news (or a “gospel”) by which we can deal with our sin and come to know Him. God’s plan is as simple as ABC.
- Admit – Turn from your sin (I.e., repent) and admit your sinfulness to God (Romans 3).
- Believe – in Jesus as your Savior, the only just basis for God to forgive you because He died on the cross paying your debt of sin which is death (Romans 5; 6:23).
- Confess/Commit your life to following Jesus by faith (in the power of the Holy Spirit – John 3; 14-16; Romans 8).
Prayerfully seek the Lord to know Him for He has promised all that call on the Lord can be saved (Romans 10:13).
Only God’s children are in a position to seek Him to know His will for us. Before we become His children through faith in Jesus, the only will of God for us is that He “is not willing than any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). We need to get right with God by His grace through faith in Jesus before we do anything else concerning knowing God’s will.
that you present your bodies
Once we trust Jesus as Savior and are saved from our sins, we should give ourselves to God. When we just say words in something like “The Sinner’s Prayer,” and walk our own way not growing in our faith and relationship with God, it is evidence that our heart is like one of the three unfruitful soils spoken of by Jesus in the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13; Mark 4; Luke 8). If we are genuinely saved from our sins we will be “born again” or given spiritual life by the Holy Spirit who indwells us (John 3:16). If we are genuinely saved from our sins it means we are a new creation and that all the old ways of living are passed away (2 Corinthians 5:17). The genuinely saved person has a new set of values and priorities, a new way of seeing reality and this world. A genuinely saved person has an eternal perspective on life and the Holy Spirit within them produces spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-24).
The Bible teaches that the one saved from their sins by grace through faith in Jesus, is not their own but has been bought by God with the sacrifice of Jesus:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
As a parent, I would be very upset if one of my children simply took the keys to my car and drove off without first asking for my permission. When someone takes something that isn’t there’s we call that “stealing.” Stealing is a crime; it is a sin. Then why do we live our lives and use our bodies without consulting the Owner? Why do we so easily and so often overlook seeking God’s will for our lives? Instead of living in such spiritual thievery we should live obediently and attentively with a servant’s heart toward God because He paid our redemption price.
When we come to God we need to acknowledge His ownership of us. We come to Him saying, “Lord, here I am, I am Yours to use however You want to use me.”
a living sacrifice,
This new life in Christ can be described as “a living sacrifice.” A sacrifice on the altar has no plans of their own but is at the mercy of the one sacrificing them. That should be our attitude toward God. Full surrender to God and His will is a prerequisite for knowing the will of God. It is also a prerequisite for being used by God and experiencing fulfillment in service to Him.
If you want to know God’s will one of the first things needed is to come to him as a “living sacrifice,” fully surrendered to Him and His decisions and calling on our life. If we go to God with ulterior or personal motives, we won’t be in a position to hear from Him or discern His will for us. When we approach God in any way other than as a living sacrifice, we put ourselves in a position to be self-deceived. The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Only the LORD truly knows our heart (Jeremiah 17:10).
When we come to God seeking His will, we need to do so in a fully surrendered way. Our prayer should be, “Lord, here I am, use me how You see fit.”
holy,
Why is the idea of living “holy” so ignored in our day? Christians and much of the Church seem to be hellbent on fitting into the world and being relevant to sinners. This tactic or strategy of “evangelism” is unbiblical. Christians are called to be holy or distinctive like their Heavenly Father and Jesus and the HOLY Spirit are. God calls us to “be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
The word “holy” (Greek hagios) means sacred, pure, morally blameless. Christians in the New Testament are called “saints” which is a word translated from hagios. “Holy: means uncommon, the exact opposite of trying to fit in with the world.
To be “holy” means to be uncommon, distinctive, devoted or dedicated, consecrated. Holiness is the exact opposite objective of those in the Church who are trying to attract the world through becoming like the world. Such “evangelism” strategies find no basis in scripture. We are to be like Jesus and attract the world by our holy otherworldliness.
In order to be prepared to discern and receive God’s will we need to have a “holy” mindset. God’s will, will always lead us in a “holy” way. Seek to live and be holy and you are well on your way to living in the will of God.
acceptable to God,
Our objective in life should be to please God not myself. We should always seek to please God asking, “Lord, would this please You? Does this please You?) Remember, we are not our own but belong to God.
The word “acceptable” (Greek euarestos) means fully agreeable, well pleasing. The only “acceptable” way to come to God is by implementing personally by faith in our lives what we have learned thus far in these verses. Are you seeking to be acceptable before God as you seek to know and live our His will?
which is your reasonable service.
The word “reasonable” (Greek logikos) occurs twice in the New Testament and means rational, logical, following reason, a soul agreeable to reason. We are reasonable when we gather facts and truth and act accordingly.
It’s taken Paul 11 chapters to lay out the gospel, salvation, new life in Christ, life in the Spirit and God’s distinctive plans for Israel and the Church. Considering all that God has done for us, what he says here is the only appropriate reasonable, logical response.
“Service” (Greek latreia) means ministration, worship. We get the word liturgy from this word. Paul is pointing out the only reasonable response to what God has done for us is serving Him in a worshipful way.
If you want to know God’s will, you should approach Him in a worshipful way. We come to God saying, “Lord, I seek to worship You in all I do.” Do that and you will discover God’s will in whatever you do.
What To Do to Know the Will of God
With the right attitude, we are ready to take action in discovering God’s will for our lives. What follows are actions to take in order to know God’s will.
2 And do not be conformed to this world,
“Conformed” (Greek syschematidzo) means to fashion alike, to pattern, to conform, to follow the pattern of. Philip’s translation says don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.
First, to discern God’s will, don’t be a worldly conformist. Do not rely on worldly conformities. The first step in discerning God’s will is to guard against relying on worldly conventions or expectations.
Don’t expect God to direct you according to the standards or expectations of the world. Your family might have expectations the are contrary to what God’s will is for your life. You might have expectations that are contrary to God’s will for you. The world tries to set the bar, to set standards of a “happy” life, but the only guaranteed path to fulfillment is in the will of God.
God doesn’t always lead us to be married or have children and a family, or for us to live comfortably in life, or for us to have the best jobs with the most pay for the least amount of work. God’s will is not merely for the horizontal realm of this world. God’s will is always otherworldly with eternal priorities and principles in mind. If we are going to know and live our God’s will we need to be willing to step out of the world’s mold for us and into His mold for us. His mold for us is JESUS (cf. Romans 8:29).
but be transformed
The word “transformed” (Greek metamorphoo) means change, transfigure, transform, to change into another form. This is the word used to describe the Transfiguration of Jesus. This is a word that goes beyond the self-deception and fantasy of the “Trans” ideology in our world today. This is a word that speaks of God’s real tangible transformational work in the Christian’s life.
This transformation is like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. The Bible says:
Romans 6:4 (NKJV) – 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
To be transformed is to live in the “newness of life” that comes through faith in Jesus. Baptism symbolizes such change in the Christian. We plunge into the water, a symbol of death, of dying too self. We are then raised to a new way of life, a new way of thinking.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Second, to discern God’s will, be a godly transformist. God has given us a new life in Christ. It is a life with a new worldview; a new way of looking at things. We no longer try to fit the world’s mold or live by their standards, but we live into God; we get pleasure from pleasing Him:
Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV) 23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Knowing Jesus and living for Him is the priority of such a new transformed way of living.
by the renewing of your mind,
“Renewing” (Greek anakainosis) means renovation, renewing, a complete change for the better. “Mind” (Greek nous) refers to the intellect, mind, place of human thought, place of understanding, faculties of perceiving and reason.
Third, to discern God’s will let God renew your way of thinking. We can renew our way of thinking by washing our mind with the word of God. We need a holy brain washing (Ephesians 5:26). God wants to transform our way of thinking. He wants to power wash our mind from depression, anxiety, self-centeredness, and ever ungodly thought.
This renewing of the mind will involve unlearning your old ways and replacing the old ways with God’s ways. God’s will is designed to accomplish this in our lives. God is perfectly efficient. The will of God is not merely for us to get from point “A” to point “B.” With God the journey from where we are to where He wants us is just as important. The ends don’t justify the means with God. With God the means are just as important as the end results.
that you may prove what is
The word “prove” (Greek dokimadzo) means to approve, to discern, examine, to test, as metals are tested for strength.
Fourth, to discern God’s will use proving or testing. We test all things by God’s word. The Bible says:
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV) 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) – 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
God will NEVER lead you contrary to His word. If you are tempted to misuse or abuse or step outside the parameters of God’s word, know that the devil is likely attacking you. This was the tactic of the devil when tempting Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11).
Why Should We be Interested or Want to Know God’s Will? Because . . .
Up to this point our focus has been on those who should or actually do want to know God’s will. But some people aren’t interested in God’s will. This is mostly the case with people living in sin. But unfortunately, it is frequently true of Christians who live superficially in their walk with the Lord. When a “Christian” isn’t concerned with or cares little about the will of God, it is an indication of the sin of idolatry in their life. The person who doesn’t seek or care about God’s will, is a person who ahs made SELF an idol in their lives. Idolatry is near the top of Gods’ top ten list of sins (cf. Exodus 20). Idolatry was the prime win that led to God’s people being defeated and taken into captivity (Ezekiel 6; 14:6; 20; Romans 1:22-23). The Apostle John warned his readers to “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen” (1 John 5:21).
that good
We should want to know God’s will because when we live it out it leads to a good life, or life filled with goodness. “Good” (Greek agathos) means benefit, good, well, agreeable, joyful, happy, excellent, honorable, upright. If you truly want to live a good life, live your life according to God’s will. Then you will have no regrets at the end of your life (e.g., Psalm 71).
and acceptable
We should want to know God’s will because when we live it out it leads to an acceptable and well pleasing life. “Acceptable” (Greek euarestos) means fully agreeable, acceptable, well pleasing. If you want a life that is acceptable and pleasing to God, live it by His will. This should be the unobjective of every Christian.
and perfect
We should want to know God’s will because when we live it out it leads to a perfect life. “Perfect” (Greek teleios) means complete, full, of full age, complete regarding an objective, brought to its desired end, consummate, perfect. When we live our life according to God’s will, we will be mature, finishing well, be all God intended us to be.
C.T. Studd once said, This one life will soon be passed, only what’s done for Christ will last. And when I am dying how happy I’ll be, if the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee. Let that be our objective in life.
will of God.
We should want to know God’s will because when we live it out it pleases God and advances His redemptive plans which are of eternal worth.
The word “will” (Greek thelema) means a determination, choice, desire, will, what one wishes, a determination, decision. We should want what God wants for us. God is all knowing, all wise, all loving, all merciful, all gracious, all He ever needs to be to do whatever he wills to do. God knows what is best in light of eternity. God’s will takes all the variables and details into account. We should therefore seek His will for our lives.
Jesus said:
Luke 9:23-26 (NKJV) – 23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
With a reasonable and God-transformed mind let us seek to discern and live out God’s will in our lives.
The rest of Romans 12-16 provide is information about the tools God gives us to live out His will (I.e., spiritual gifts), and the mission mindset to live it out. I encourage you to study it through. As we close, remember one last thing, IF WE SEEK GOD’s WILL, HE WILL EQUIP US TO PERFORM IT. God’s callings are God’s enablings. If you want to experience the abundant and full life Jesus spoke about, seek God’s will and you will experience it.
Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). The abundant life is a life lived according to the will of God. I pray we all prove what it is in our lives, and that we live it out. May God make us what we need to be, to do what He calls us to do, for His glory, until Jesus returns. In Jesus’ name. Amen.