Romans 12:2

Now we will look at the next sentence of Romans 12:2 – “THEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TEST AND APPROVE WHAT GOD’S WILL IS-HIS GOOD, PLEASING, PERFECT WILL.”

There is a lot of depth in this second sentence which I think is important for us to evaluate before we break it down into parts. Paul’s message in the first sentence of Romans 12:2  is that we will be transformed by the renewing of our mind, then by doing so, we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.

Pastor and Christian author John Piper has written a commentary on this verse: “The term ‘the will of God’ has at least two or possibly three biblical meanings. First, there is the sovereign will of God, that always comes to pass without fail. Second, there is the revealed will of God in the Bible – do not steal, do not lie, do not kill, do not covet – and this will of God often does not come to pass. And third, there is [ ] wisdom where we consciously apply the  word of God with our renewed minds to complex moral circumstances…” Piper continues, “We are perfectly useless as Christ-exalting Christians if all we do is conform to the world around us. And the key to not wasting our lives with this kind of [worldly] success and prosperity, Paul says, is being transformed.”

It is important to understanding this verse, but even more important to understanding as it relates to your own walk, that transformation is more than just switching from a “worldly to-do list” to a “to-do list of good behavior”. Simply changing our behavior is not the kind of transformation God is looking for from us. True transformation is a Holy Spirit transformation through our faith in Jesus Christ. When we make this transformation of the spirit, we find freedom; freedom from the limitations of living for self and the limitations of focusing our lives on the pattern of this world. This transformation occurs through a daily “RENEWING OF THE MIND”  as we learn more about God, understand the depth of His love for us, and that He has a purpose for our lives beyond what we see in the world. The evidence of this transformation is by living our daily lives in the fruit of the Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (we will study this verse from Galatians later). If we embrace the fruit of the Spirit, our spiritual character is transformed, and we “WILL BE ABLE TO TEST AND APPROVE WHAT GOD’S WILL IS” for our lives.

I hope you are still tracking with me. I know this is a deep summary, but it is fundamentally important to our understanding of how God is revealing His perfect will in our lives. Today, let’s spend time on the first part of the verse – “THEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TEST AND APPROVE WHAT GOD’S WILL IS”.

I hope you will take time today and prayerfully reflect on these words. Let the Spirit of the Lord speak to you about your own transformation and the revelation of God’s will in your life. Here’s a youtube link to listen to while you pray over these words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFmQEqDLP2k

 

Romans 12:2

The suspense is over. Today we add the last part of the instruction from Paul in this verse – “BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND”.

So let’s tie the pieces together:

DO NOT CONFORM – TO THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD – BUT BE TRANSFORMED – BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND.

Paul says we will be transformed (again, a dramatic change!). Now he tells us how – BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND. Let’s focus on “RENEWAL”.

Renewal – the replacing or repair of something that is worn-out, run-down, or broken. This would imply that our minds need repair or even replacing. Why would that be? What would cause us to need restoration of our mind and our thoughts?

Again, Paul is saying in this verse that if we will renew our minds, we will be transformed! I want transformation, and I recognize I need the renewal of my mind. The renewing of the mind happens through the study of God’s Word, through prayer, through worship. We need to flush out all of the negatives that the world pours, like a fire hose, at us every day. I encourage you to take these verses, and each day, replace the negative thoughts with these words. I promise it will transform you!

 

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

“BUT BE TRANSFORMED” I get excited when I say those words – “BUT BE TRANSFORMED”. Okay, I know it’s Saturday, but we need to do a brief English lesson to appreciate these three words -“BUT BE TRANSFORMED”:

BUT – The word “but” is a conjunction. It is used to link ideas that contrast.  Paul* uses “BUT” to contrast what he tells us not to do – “DO NOT CONFORM TO THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD” – with what we should do.

BE – You English majors know that the word “be” is a verb, a word to describe an action. “To be or not to be…”

TRANSFORMED – a dramatic change in character, or appearance.  We’re not talking subtle here, we are talking dramatic.

So today, as we enjoy our Saturday, our college football, our barbecue, or hamburgers, just take a moment, one or maybe two, to reflect on being transformed – “BUT BE TRANSFORMED”.

 

* Paul didn’t actually use the word “but” as the English language didn’t exist. Paul probably wrote the Letter to the Romans in Greek, although he probably spoke daily in Aramaic and in Hebrew.

 

Romans 12:2

Continuing our meditation on Romans 12:2. Yesterday we focused on “DO NOT CONFORM”. What does it mean to be a “non-conformist”? We got a great response from Jordan that I hope he will post here as well.

Today we add the next section of the verse – “TO THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD”. Our prayer focus today is on these words. Why do you think Paul chose the word ‘PATTERN’? What is the pattern of our world today? Are there things we can all identify with that form the pattern of our lives today? Is there a pattern you need to stop conforming to?

Remember, learning God’s word is a marathon, not a 100-yard dash. Take time today to let these words sink into your heart and reflect on what they mean to you and how you can apply them to your daily life.

Happy Friday!! I hope you have a great Labor Day weekend!

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

To supplement Bible Verse Text, I have decided to begin posting our verses via a blog site. This additional medium allows us to go a little deeper into the verse, allow commentary, and provide a way that you can share this study of God’s word with your friends and family.

Since this is the first post, I think it appropriate to outline the purpose of our group. God has provided us an immense amount of knowledge (I would call it perfect) about who He is, how much He loves us, how we should seek and love Him, and how we should walk out this journey together to live life with joy in spite of a world that can often be hard and cruel. God loves you and me so much that he has given us this “owner’s manual” for life to show us how much He loves us and to guide and navigate us through the trials and struggles we all face.

There are 31,102 verses in the bible (23,145 in the Old Testament, and 7,957 in the New Testament). Yet, how many verses have we learned and placed on our heart? How many Christians do you know that can quote scripture? I haven’t seen any research or survey numbers, but I would say it is safe that most Christians can only quote a few verses. Is it any wonder we struggle as we do when we don’t know the instruction manual our divine Creator has given us to live by.

I hope you will continue with me on this journey of God’s word together!

Jim