“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 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 learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:1-2, NLT
A. WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD
1. God’s will/choices works in unity with His attributes, i.e., love, holiness/justice, omnipresent, omniscience, omnipotent. God’s will is part of His personality, intellect, emotion, and will.
2. Definition: (a) God’s will is His choice/decision concerning the decision facing us in life, active and applied, (b) God’s will is His predetermined plan and purpose for everything final and completed, (c ) God’s will is a reflection of His personality/nature.
The Will of God
? What God wants.
? What God has preplanned.
? Expression of God’s nature and Person.
B. HOW THE WILL OF GOD FUNCTIONS
1. You can know God’s will. “You are called … and know His will” (Romans 2:18, NKJV).
2. God’s will is perfect. “What is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).
3. God’s will is a gracious design. “Let everything give thanks … this is the will of God” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
4. God’s will can capture us. “Taken captive by Him (God) to do His will” (2 Timothy 2:26).
5. God punishes by rejecting us. “Whom He (God) wills He hardens” (Romans 9:18).
6. God accomplishes His will through people. “God … put a plan into their minds … that will carry out His purpose” (Revelation 17:17, NLT).
C. HOW TO MISS THE DOOR TO GOD’S WILL
1. Let sin control your life. “Do not let any part of your body … serve sin” (Romans 6:13, NLT).
2. Not obey what you know is right. “Sin is knowing what you ought to do … then not doing it” (James 4:17).
3. Not obey your conscience. “Their conscience … accusing” (Romans 2:15).
4. Deciding to reject God and His plan. “Many … sinned without law …. shall perish” (Romans 1:12).
5. Unyielded. “Yield your body to God ... do not act like the unsaved” (Romans 12:1, ELT).
6. Wander in ignorance. “Keep me from ignorant sin” (Psalm 19:12, ELT).
7. False doctrines that denies or explains away sin.
D. BECOME WHAT GOD OPENS
1. Your new nature. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT).
2. Now you can become renewed each day. “Do not be conformed but be transformed" (Romans 12:2).
3. Let the indwelling Christ live out though you.
4. Dedicate your body as a living holy sacrifice to God.
5. Worship and magnify God giving all to Him that you have/are/and plan to be.
6. The will of God is to worship God now, all day ,every day for the rest of your life.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
Dr. Towns’ email is eltowns@liberty.edu.
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