How do you know if you are doing God’s will in your life? This is a question that many people ask themselves and others. Paul gives an interesting message on this in this passage in Romans 12. You life without God as pilot is heading for a crash landing. How can you find out God’s will for you right now?

1 – The myths

There are a number of myths about finding God’s will.

• The map myth – People think that God will provide a detailed map for them to follow. They think that God will give them a detailed road map for the nest 5-10 years. It is not going to happen. We are to live by faith and not by sight. The children of Israel had a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to follow. They followed God, day by day. Abraham was told to start walking and God would show him eventually were to go.
• The misery myth – Some people are scared to try and find out what God’s will is for their life. They figure it will be something that they do not want to do. That God will give them something to do that will make them miserable. God wants to give you abundant life, not make you miserable!
• The miracle myth – In order for them to discover what God wants them to do, there needs to be a miracle. They need a burning bush. It needs to snow in August. The sun needs to shine at 3 am in the morning. Elijah was looking for something great but God spoke through the still small voice!
• The missed it myth – These people believe that they had an opportunity to do God’s will when they were younger but missed it. They are now trying to live out the rest of their lives as best as they can. You may have missed an opportunity to do something for God in the past but it is never too late to do the will of God. God has a plan for you throughout your life not just when you are young. God is never finished with you. God has a plan for all of us. God can get you back on track. It is NOT too late.
• The mystery myth – Some people see God’s will as so mysterious that it is like a game of hide and seek. God wants us to know what His will is. He is not playing games with you. God’s will is meant to make you happy. God’s will, will find you!

2 – Step 1 – Presentation (v1)

We are surrendering ourselves to God. We don’t ask God what His will is so that you can decide if you want to do it. We can’t manipulate God. We need to discover that we need to do things God’s way. We don’t get to pick and choose. We need to sign up and then God decides where you go. We present ourselves to God because of the mercy of God. We are saved because God is merciful. We are all under the mercy of a good God. Do we want our rights, or God’s mercy? We are living sacrifices. The Lord sacrificed His life for our lives so we should sacrifice our lives for Him. We need total surrender. You have got to give God everything that you have.

3 – Step 2 – Transformation (vs. 2)

We are either conformed to this world or transformed from this world. We are not to let the world catch us in its schemes, if we are to be a child of God. We are not to let this world squeeze us into its mould. How can God share His will with us if we are living like the rest of the world? You don’t give the game plan to those who are not in your team. We are not to be like a chameleon and changing colour with the environment. We have too many spiritual chameleons in the church today. Your life has to be different from those of the world. Christians should live different from this world. Why else should people get saved? See 1 John 2:15-17. We are not to love this world. If we love this world then God’s love is not in you. God’s love replaces His love for that of this world. We can be in this world but not partake of it.

We are to be transformed. It is the same word that is used for metamorphosis. A change on the inside brings about a change on the outside. The butterfly is an illustration of this in nature. We have been transformed by the Lord Jesus. The ugly caterpillar becomes a butterfly (or moth). The caterpillar has been broken down and transformed into something completely new. This is what is to happen to the Christian. When your life is transformed you are not to have the same worldly desires as before. If nothing has changed in your life then you can’t be going to Heaven. A Christian who lapses into sin with guilt but a sinner loves sins and feels nothing. Will look at you and like a mirror see themselves or look through a window and see Jesus. We need to be transformed in our mind. The battle is won or lost in your mind. That is why it is harder to read the Bible than any other book. The Devil does not want you to read God’s Word. See Proverbs 23:7. This verse is scary. You are what you.

4 – Step 3 – Revelation (vs. 2)

God will reveal His will to you. It is God’s will to reveal His will to anybody willing to do His will. You do your part and God will do His part. If you sign up then God will let you know what His will is for you. You want to do God’s will for a number of reasons.

• It is profitable – “prove what is good”. The will of God is good. The will of God is better for you than anything which is outside of the will of God. The will of God is not something you have to do; it is something you get to do. The will of God is something that we would do if we had sense to realise it.
• It is pleasing – “acceptable”. God’s will is acceptable “for” you and “to” you.
• It is perfect – “perfect”. Perfect is the best you can get. You can’t exceed perfection.

If you present your life and be transformed then God will reveal His will to you. We want to lighthouse to shine but we won’t even turn on the flashlight in our hand. Don’t try and “find yourself”. When did you lose yourself? None of us is “all that”. Don’t try and find yourself. Get in the will of God. See Jeremiah 10:23. The way of man is not in himself. You can’t figure out your life on your own. Positive thinking books are no substitute for the Bible. You are somebody when you have been transformed by God. This is what happened to Saul. He was transformed to be the great missionary Paul. See Psalm 37:23-24. Let God order your steps and stop trying to do things your way.

Categories: Romans