Published on 10/19/2006

In this era of daily terror threats and shifting economic trends, how do we know God's will for the practical decisions and challenges of our lives? As we have seen, Romans 12:1-2 offers us the crucial steps which lead to God's purpose for his people.

Commentary

Will NFL fans be safe this weekend? A Web site has made newspapers across the land with claims that stadiums in New York, Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, Oakland and Cleveland are targets for radiological dirty bombs.

However, this morning's New York Times reports that Homeland Security officials view this threat "with strong skepticism." Apparently there is no intelligence indicating that such an attack is imminent. The department "strongly encourages the public to continue to go about their plans, including attending events that involve large public gatherings such as football games." The FBI has also expressed doubt about the threat.

If you're an official with the FBI or Homeland Security, how should you respond? In this era of daily terror threats and shifting economic trends, how do we know God's will for the practical decisions and challenges of our lives? As we have seen, Romans 12:1-2 offers us the crucial steps which lead to God's purpose for his people.

First, we are to make Christ our Savior and Lord. Our Father's first will is that we be his children. Nothing is as important to him. Second, we put God on the throne of our lives, making him our King and rendering ourselves his servants.

Third, we refuse the world's influence: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world" (Romans 12:2a). Stop being molded by our culture and its values. Ask yourself what the culture says about the issue before you, then reject it where it contradicts biblical truth.

Our culture values the material over the spiritual, the temporal over the eternal, and the self-honoring over the God-glorifying. If the decision on your heart has to do with a job situation, our society will tell you to follow the money as you "look out for number one." God will tell you to choose the work which most enables you to serve the Kingdom, share the faith, and glorify your Lord.

Last, seek the mind of God: "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (v. 2b). Be "transformed," remade in your inmost nature. "By the renewing of your mind"--spend time with God, so that he makes new your mind by Scripture and prayer. Seek his mind, his biblical guidance, his Spirit's leadership through prayer and worship.

What happens when we yield to God's will in this way? Let's conclude tomorrow.