How can a young person know God’s will? The Bible has the answer! It is found in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
The first step in any acceptable service for God is to yield yourself to the Lord. This means to be governed by His Word, to be obedient, and not to be controlled by the world or its ways. The evidence that you have really submitted yourself to God will be seen in what you do with your body. Your body will be absent from worldly places and functions, and it will be found serving God. Your hands will be dedicated to God’s service, and your time will be at His disposal.
Have you actually decided to please God and not yourself? It is astonishing how Christians deceive themselves into thinking they are serving God when it is evident, to others, that they are actually serving their own comfort, convenience, and choices. This Scripture means that we are to ignore self and the world and tum our bodies and minds over to God, saying, “Lord, here I am. What wilt Thou have me to do?” This is, in fact, our only reasonable and intelligent service. God’s plan for you is far better than any of your own because it has eternal realities in view.
The next step in true service tor God is a sound appraisal of your gifts. Romans 12:3, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
This means to have a correct idea of your abilities and your limitations. If you over estimate your gifts, you may undertake what you cannot do, and therefore fail and be discouraged. If you under estimate them, you may be idle when you should be active for the Lord.
There are various ways of determining your gift. You know what your natural abilities are, and these abilities are useful to God when consecrated to His service. Can you talk convincingly? Then you should be able to talk to people of their need of salvation. Can you teach? Then you should be able to teach a Sunday school class.
On every hand the need is evident. If you walk with God, these needs will become burdens on your heart. Souls are perishing for lack of Christ. Lives are being ruined by sin. Your vision of the need is God’s call to you for service.