Romans 12:2 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.

Isn’t my transformed life proof enough?

Yes, it is proof enough. Now let me asked you are very pointed question. Now that you have been transformed, did your desire to please yourself transform? Do you not now want to please God? It is after all the heart of the matter is it not?

Romans 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

This verse appears, with good reason, just before the passages that speak about our being conformed to the image of Christ. That conformance requires a cooperative will on our part. We must choose the better part in order for that better part to be activated within us. That requires cooperative will.

What is good? What is acceptable? What is perfect? Consider that all are God’s will and then ask yourself how you match up. Your cooperative will has a part to play. You get to choose. I cannot make choices for you any more than you can choose for me.

Is it important to you to be part of executing God’s will? That requires a sincere self-examination. I know what it means to me. Many before us have stated their will in these matters. Would it help to see what they have said? Maybe you can hear yourself in their words.

Maybe I will list a few passages as examples? Will you look for yourself? I hope so.

2 Timothy 2:15-16 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

As I sit here writing this devotional, I have just destroyed a week’s worth of devotionals. I did so because they were full of vain babblings. The first lesson in executing God’s will is that you must be willing to lay aside everything you think you know and allow God to show you the way.

I am not ashamed of what I wrote. It led me to the truth. It was God’s mercy that I woke up before I released those words for publication. No amount of effort is unfruitful if it leads you to the truth.

2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

The issues of being prepared unto every good work are simple, God desires cooperative will. Our willingness to cooperate is demonstrated in putting aside, purging, things that will either glorify man or satisfy self-interest. That is a long list. Longer than I care to include here. That is part of prep work.

Study the word and seek a proper understanding of the Word. Submit your understanding to sound counsel. State your honest concerns openly before learned men of sound reputation who have demonstrated faith and grace, and not just lofty words.  Man puts his beliefs to work in his life and yours for that very reason.

The second thing I would like to share with you is even more important. None of this places your salvation at risk. Do or do not. Execution of God’s will has nothing to do with your personal salvation.

2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

The Lord is faithful even if we are not.