"Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view
of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as
living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as
living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
Do not conform any longer 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
Why is there a battle between our will and God's will? I think there are a number of reasons, but here are a few for you to chew on:
1) Romans 12:2 tells us that we are to have our minds renewed and that in doing so we will be transformed. It would appear that if we don't give ourselves--mind, body, and spirit--to the Lord, that we are still living in the world. The world's way is to get what I want, when I want it, and how I want it. When our minds are renewed and transformed, we will much more want what God's wants. That brings me to my next point.
2) A renewed and transformed mind will see God more clearly, and we will realize that He is good.
"For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100:5
3) Not only is God good, but He desires good things for His children.
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless." Psalm 84:11
4) Not only does He desire good for us, but He has promised good for us."Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant." II Samuel 7:28
"Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40:5
So we know that God is good, and the only thing that come come from a good God is a good plan. We will understand that more and more as we leave the ways of the world and allow God to make us more like Him.
What is the risk? Well, I suppose we would have to give up our plans that often go awry and end up causing us a big mess to clean up. Sure, once in awhile we hit a bull's eye and our plan goes perfectly. But even when that is true, I wonder if we have traded the best for something less.
Door Number One is God's plan. It comes with a guarantee of joy and contentment. The only requirement of you is that you enter that door completely and fully.
Door Number Two is your plan. It comes with risk and responsibility of working the plan. It may fail, and could result in lots of pain and sorrow and loneliness.
Put that way, which would you choose?
Thoughts?
What is the risk? Well, I suppose we would have to give up our plans that often go awry and end up causing us a big mess to clean up. Sure, once in awhile we hit a bull's eye and our plan goes perfectly. But even when that is true, I wonder if we have traded the best for something less.
Door Number One is God's plan. It comes with a guarantee of joy and contentment. The only requirement of you is that you enter that door completely and fully.
Door Number Two is your plan. It comes with risk and responsibility of working the plan. It may fail, and could result in lots of pain and sorrow and loneliness.
Put that way, which would you choose?
Thoughts?
