by Michael Aprile

I have come to realize that Romans 12 is really about how to have life goals that fit what God has planned for us. These are the goals that not only please God, but please us, as well. You see, God created us with a purpose and that was to serve His will. This is something, of course, that Jesus had down pat. He not only did not give up on His Father’s will and design for Him, but he lived only to carry it out.

The world’s plans are the antithesis of God’s plans. That is why Paul was inspired to say, “Don’t copy the behavior and the customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way that you think” (Romans 12:2). The way that we think is, in fact, often led astray by “the behavior and customs of this world.” In the same verse, we see the answer to why God put us here. It says that when we give our will over to God, and seek only to learn what is true, we will “know what God wants us to do.”

Now if I am not mistaken, most true Christians want to know what God has in store for them. Romans 12 goes on to tell us that each of us must have an honest estimation of ourself. In context, he is talking about the gifts God has given us or those abilities he put within us that uniquely identify us and give us a workable, functioning place within the living body of Christ’s church. Instead of being individuals that train to work for ourselves, we are placed within the body to do a part of a greater whole. Our function is in support and supported by the rest of those who make up our local assembly. We need each other. No one is an island.

Whatever God has built into us, usually recognizable through the Spirit as a gift we hold, we are encouraged and admonished to do our very best. It is not men we are pleasing, but rather God. A careful, honest examination of what motivates us to do things, compared to the the gifts of the Spirit, will show us generally what it is that God expects of us. You will not find these life goals, that the God who gave you life has for you, in the course catalog of your local college. All the goals God has for us are spiritual. This is what we must serve first, remembering, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”

If we live a life for anything else, for any other purpose, than for serving Him, we are living a life that will, at least eventually, frustrate our lives. Our life will never be pleasing and perfect living a life that this world has designed for us. In serving, we must serve others and we must look after the welfare of others. We must do things like, “hate what is wrong, and stand on the side of good.” We are to delight in honoring each other, work with diligence, as unto the Lord, and be enthusiastic about it.

We should “be glad for all God is planning for [us].” He grew us in the womb, planned our existence before we were born, and let us have our own will. If through faith, we come to Him through Jesus, He carries forth the plan for us, putting His Spirit within us, and directing us to do His will. He shows us what He wants us to do for Him. In obedience, we are capable of truly helping others who are in need. Nothing, in return, makes us more joyous than this.

We need to get in line with the will of God, so we can enjoy life as God planned it for us. Following the ways of the world allows Satan a foothold and he quickly gets the best of us. We must overcome this evil with good and stay on the righteous path. One of the better pieces of advice, in Romans 12, is “Don’t try to act important.” Just discover what God’s will for you entails and live it to the fullest.