George W. Truett said, "To know the will of God is the greatest knowledge! To do the will of God is the greatest achievement!" Paul the apostle writes in Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Let me draw your attention to three calls in this passage.

First, there is a call for your submission. Romans 12:1b reads, "that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." The phrase "living sacrifice" means a "total dedication" of your entire being. The phrase "your reasonable service" carries the idea of "your spiritual act of worship." It is reasonable that you should devote your life to Him who gave His life for the forgiveness of your sin on the cross of Calvary.

Second, there is a call for your separation. Romans 12:2a reads, "And do not be conformed to this world. . ." We are to be in the world but not of the world. Paul describes the Ephesians before Christ saved them in Ephesians 2:1-3, "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others." Paul further explains in Colossians 1:13, "(God) has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love."

Third, there is a call for your sanctification. Romans 12:2b reads, "but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. . ." How do you renew your mind? The Word of God is essential to renew your mind. You must read it and heed it! Jesus said in John 17:17, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." Paul confesses in Romans 7:7b, "I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, 'You shall not covet.'"

"Teach me to do Your will. . ." (Psalm 143:10a). Charles Spurgeon comments, "(It is) as if David had said, Lord, I need not be taught to do my own will, I can do it fast enough, but teach me to do thy will." Francis Dixon said, "There is only one thing that really matters in the life of the Christian; it is to know and to do the will of God."

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, of Robertsdale, is the author of "Don't Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah.