Romans 12:1-2 | How to Know What to Do in Any Situation

 

Understanding God's Will: A Guide to Spiritual Transformation and Decision Making

When seeking God's will for our lives, we often approach it backwards. We try to determine what's good and perfect without first knowing God Himself. This common mistake is like trying to get fruit from a wooden board with an apple nailed to it - it simply won't work.

What is the Basis for Understanding God's Will?

The foundation for understanding God's will starts with His mercies. Romans 1-11 provides a beautiful synopsis of these mercies, including:

  • The gospel as God's power for salvation

  • God's righteous judgment

  • Christ's death for sinners

  • Our new life in Christ

  • Freedom from condemnation

  • God's choosing us through mercy

  • Salvation available to all who believe

How Do We Present Ourselves as Living Sacrifices?

Paul urges believers to present their bodies as "living sacrifices" - a continuous offering of our whole selves to God. This isn't just about our minds or Sunday worship, but about how we use our physical bodies to display Christ's beauty in the world.

We can only become holy and acceptable through God's mercy, not through our own efforts. The same gospel that saves us is what sustains and transforms us.

What Does Transformation Look Like?

True transformation involves two key aspects:

  • Not conforming to the world

  • Resisting cultural pressures to fit certain molds

  • Maintaining biblical standards rather than shifting cultural values

  • Being transformed

  • Changed into Christ's image

  • Transformed through the Holy Spirit's work

  • Renewed in our minds and moral center

How Does This Transformation Happen?

Transformation occurs through three movements:

  • Beholding - Focusing on God's mercies and the gospel

  • Believing - Trusting in God's truth and promises

  • Belonging - Becoming who God designed us to be

How Do We Discern God's Will?

God's will can be understood in three dimensions:

  • Sovereign Will - God's overall control of history

  • Revealed Will - What God has shown us in Scripture

  • Situational Will - Wisdom for specific life decisions

Life Application

This week, before making any significant decisions, start with these steps:

  • Focus on knowing God first, rather than trying to figure out His will

  • Spend time daily beholding His mercies through Scripture

  • Submit your desires to God's transformation

Ask yourself:

  • Am I trying to determine God's will without first knowing Him?

  • What aspects of my life need to be transformed to look more like Christ?

  • How can I better align my decision-making with God's revealed truth in Scripture?

Remember: To know God's will, you must first know God's heart. Trust that as you grow closer to Him, His direction for your life will become clearer.

 
Standalone SeriesSteven CastelloRomans