Study of Romans 12 – Verse 2

“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.” (Romans 12:2 NKJV)

“…do not be conformed to this world…”

    Conformed means to model or pattern yourself after someone or something, to take the shape/appearance of something, like gelatin in a mold.

    We are not to be conformed to this world. We are not to model ourselves after the world nor carried about by their always changing standards. When we see phrases like “this world” (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 2:2, “this present world,” 2 Timothy 4:10), “the world” (also “darkness,” John 3:16-21)“this age” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4), and “those on the outside” (Colossians 4:8-9) Jesus and the inspired writers are referring to those who are under the sway of the wicked one (1 John 5:19), who listen to the lies and deception of the devil and do what he desires (John 8:44); who follow after self and sin. The world are those who push situation ethics rather than integrity, those who encourage you to do whatever it is that will make you happy as long as it does not make them feel judged or crosses any of the ever changing lines society is told to draw by the ‘squeakiest wheel’ of the day/week/month (read and consider John 15:18-19, and 17:14).

“…whose mind the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4 NKJV)

    We are not to speak like the world (Ephesians 4:29-5-7). We are not to dress like the world (1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:1-4). We are not to conduct ourselves like the world (1 Peter 1:15-16, 2:12, 3:15-17, Titus 2:1-10, 3:8, 14). We are not to be conformed to this world, because we are no longer of this world (read and consider Romans 6), we are now in Christ (John 17:14-17, Ephesians 4:17-24).

“…but be transformed…”

    Transformed means to change for the better. It is not just an outward change, but the change of our very mindset so that we allow our innermost man to be improved, built up, and refined as we follow a different and better way (John 14:6, 1 John 2:3-6). Consider that our hope as God’s children is to see Him as He is – for we will be like Him – and so we purify ourselves just as He is pure (1 John 3:1-3); through trusting obedience we allow God’s instructions and commands to transform us toward holiness and purity. We can be transformed from a lump of clay to “a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:19-26, Isaiah 64:8).

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV)

“…by the renewing of your mind…”

    Renewing means being improved, renovated to a new and better condition. Specifically, it means that you remove the old ways of thinking, no longer resting on what you think you know, instead, you read God’s word with fresh eyes, with a heart that is ready to hear and obey (like young Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:9, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears”).

    Your mind is your ability to reason. It is your capacity to understand God’s truth and recognize what is good and what is evil (Hebrews 5:12-14).  

    When we reason out all that God has done for us, all that He continues to do for us, and all He promises yet to do; when we begin to comprehend His immense love for us, the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice, and His perfect, consistent, unchanged will and way, we will conclude that what He asks of us – deny self, take up your cross, and follow Me (Matthew 16:24) – is the most rational and reasonable thing to do! Our minds, renewed in/by God’s word, will govern our words and conduct, and our progress will be evident to all (1 Timothy 4:12-13, 15-16)!

“…so that you may prove…”

    Prove means to test something to determine if it works as it should. In this instance, we take God at His word, follow His commands, and prove to ourselves that He is good, wise, and true!

    In allowing God and His word to renew our mind and transform us, we will prove to both ourselves and others around us that God is real and worthy of our complete submission and faithful obedience.

Specifically, you will prove “…what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

    Good being good in its very nature and beneficial in its effect. It pertains to what is upright, honourable, and right in God’s sight.

    Acceptable is that which is well-pleasing in the sight of God, wholly aligned (with His will).

    Perfect means having reached its end or purpose; it is complete and lacks nothing.

    Will of God means God’s plans and purposes; what He wishes us to do.

    All has been made known to us. God’s will is complete and lacks nothing. Everyone who hears and obey God’s will – allows it to renew their mind and transform them – can be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17)!

    When we remove worldly influences and allow our minds to be renewed and ourselves to be transformed by God’s word and will, we will prove that God’s will is good and beneficial, that His will is excellent and doable, and all that He has given us, and all that He has commanded of us is perfect and complete; we have no need to wonder if what we are doing is right, because His word tells us - we can be sure and certain of it – it does not change!

    Are you ready to assess in your heart to find just how much you have allowed the world to conform you to their ways and notions? Are you ready to remove yourself from their mold and renew your mind with God’s word, so that you can be transformed for the better? Take God at His word, prove Him to be true and wise through humble obedience. I’ve proven it to myself, and I will spend the rest of my days encouraging others to do the same! Renew your mind, be transformed, and prove to yourself – and to others - that God’s will is good and acceptable and perfect!

You can do it! So can I!

A New Study: Romans 12 – An Introduction

    With our study of wisdom that is from above still fresh in our minds, I would like to dig into a chapter that commands application of that wisdom. Of course, the entirety of the New Testament has commands and instructions to apply that pure, gentle, and patient wisdom, but I find that Romans 12 encapsulates much of what the gospels and the epistles expound on, making it a rich chapter for a study.

Romans – An Overview

    The apostle Paul wrote to the brethren in Rome during his third preaching trip (missionary journey). The church had some members who were Jews and others who were Gentiles, and these different backgrounds were causing troubles (namely the Jews insisting that the Gentile brethren be circumcised, as required by the law of Moses).  In this letter, Paul teaches the Romans about Jesus, His vital importance, and how to live a life that befits a Christian.

    Paul opens his letter in the first chapter by reminding the brethren of their oneness: “Through [Jesus] we have received grace and the apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints…” (1:5-7). He then declares the vital importance and value of the gospel of Christ: “…it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed…” (1:16-17).

    Paul goes on to remind the Gentiles that their past was nothing to be proud of, having nothing worthy of holding to, in that they (as a people) refused to acknowledge God even when evidence of Him was all around them. Paul reminds them that in their pagan pursuits, they were drawn on by selfish and vile desires, and did not like to retain God in their knowledge – knowing it would bar them from “doing those things which were not fitting” (1:18-32).

    Now these statements may have caused the Jews within the congregation to feel a bit haughty, but as they read on, in what we know as chapter 2, Paul makes it clear that the Jews also had a background of willful ignorance and neglect of God’s law: “…for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified” (v13), “You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through the breaking of the law? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, as it is written.” (2:23-24) Their upbringing and the habits they were clinging to - and imposing on the Gentiles – were not proper either.

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe, for there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus..” (Romans 3:21-23 NKJV) 

    All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. In one sentence, Paul brings all believers to an even ground and equal footing. There is no difference, they were/we are all in need of God’s grace and they had/we have access to it through faith. When we are baptized we die to sin, we bury the old man of sin – choosing every day not to practice it anymore because God freed us from our bondage in sin – now we walk in newness of life, giving ourselves to God, in determined service to Him and His righteousness for holiness (6:1-23).

    The letter as a whole, after bringing everyone to a place of unity, instructs Christians to let go of their past and allow the gospel of Christ to renew their minds and transform them.

    Are you ready to let go of your past and renew your mind in the gospel of Christ, obeying God’s will, and let it transform you? Are you ready to wholly submit to God and His righteousness so you can not only become holy but in doing so you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God?

You can do it! So can I!!