What am I supposed to do with my life? Who am I supposed to marry? Where should I work? What house should I buy?
These questions are some of the toughest that we need to answer in our lives. Many people answer these questions by simply thinking of what is most beneficial to them. Paul addresses answering these questions in Romans 12. While we need to be clear that Paul is not offering a magic formula to always making great decisions Paul does present some principles that can be helpful.
I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
1.Know the mercies of God. Far beyond our important decisions regarding the direction of our life is the knowledge of the gospel. We can make great decisions all our lives that lead to wealth, success, and comfort in our lives, but if we do not know the mercies of God our good life will end in this life. Only by the mercies of God can we receive forgiveness of sins and everlasting life.
2.Live lives acceptable to God. Our response to the mercies of God should be lives that are lived as worship to this Holy God. A true understanding of the mercies of God will result in living lives that are acceptable to God. Paul further describes that we can live lives acceptable to God as we live lives that serve as worship to Him and lives that are transformed by the renewing of the mind.
The result of these 2 principles is a mind that is able to discern what the will of God is. While we will never be perfect in our decision making we will grow in understanding God’s will in our lives.