“How can I know God's will for my
life?” Have you ever asked yourself this question, and looked for
answers that never came? I have had this discussion with so many
people, and I have come to a conclusion. So many Christians believe
that being in God's perfect will is about a specific “thing” or
“mission” that God wants them to do. But it is so much more than
that. Being in God's perfect will is a lifestyle. It is living a
surrendered life that gives Him honor and worships His name.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and
sisters,” Paul writes, “in view of God’s mercy, to offer your
bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your
true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be
able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing
and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV).
If you want
to know God's “good, pleasing and perfect will”, Paul says,
become a living sacrifice for Him. Because of His mercy for
you–because
of His love and forgiveness for you-because of the free gift of His
life for you, make your life a gift to Him. Choose to live a life
that honors His love that died for you–a
lifestyle with choices that
are pleasing to God. Don't become like the rest of the world
concerned about themselves and only
what makes them feel good or happy. The rest of the world puts itself
first and is filled with
immorality, hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, and selfish ambition
(Galatians 5:19-20). It can't understand the love and freedom found
in choosing others over itself. Choose to live a life like Christ's,
Paul says. Then your life will honor what God has so freely given
you–His
own.
Be transformed and renewed in
your mind by the Holy Spirit, Paul says. Don't think like the world
thinks. Don't judge and be negative. Don't live a life that reacts
with no control to whatever happens. Allow the Holy Spirit to change
your life from the inside out–your
attitudes, your patterns of thinking, and your desires. “Be made
new in the attitude of your minds,” Paul writes, “ and put on the
new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and
holiness”(Ephesians 4:23-24, NIV). Then the fruit of the Spirit
will be alive and well! You will walk a sacrificial life of love,
joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness
and self-control (Galatians 5:22).
Living
a sacrificial life is God's good, pleasing, and perfect will. When
you live a surrendered life guided by the Holy Spirit, you will in be
His will. You will be able test each “mission” or “thing”
that comes before you, and by faith either patiently wait for His
timing, or step forward in His bidding. Don't struggle to “know”
the “things” of His will. If you are living a life that He molds
and shapes, you can “commit to the Lord
whatever you do, and he will establish your plans” (Proverbs 16:3,
NIV).
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