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. Romans 12:2 NIV
The Inspiration:
Paul writes to the Romans, emphasizing the mercy of God. It is by mercy any of us is standing today; if it were by sin, we all would be dead, but by mercy, the plan of salvation was drawn up and brought to reality, and today, I can claim worship of God, and an heir to the riches of God's grace. That mercy then makes the plea in today's verse, and it is a plea that I have to respond to, one way or another. There is no fence to sit on, because there can only be two responses: it is either I respond to and embrace the mercy of God, or I reject the mercy, and live with the consequences. As always, the choice is mine to make; God provides the favourable conditions, but I have to make the final decision. Remember, actions have consequences, and in this instance, eternal life is at stake.
The Expectation:
The choice is to either conform to the pattern of the world or be transformed by the renewing of my mind. The world seeks to bend people to its will, and because of sin, we do not have the power of ourselves to resist the pull of the world. The demands of the world line up with our own desires, and that is why the bible says to be carnally-minded is death. It is by total surrender to the mercy of God that the power of the world can be broken. The world and the word are both powerful, and while one seeks to destroy, the other seeks to give eternal life. Which one would I submit my life to? I ask for the help of God to conduct an audit of my life: which one is in charge? Am I conforming, or am I submitting my life to be transformed by the power of God?
The Conclusion:
It is by transformation that I can test and know what God's perfect will is. How does God reveal his deep secrets into a heart He doesn't control or influence? How can God commit great assignments into the hands of a person who has not submitted his life, heart and senses to the dictates of the Spirit of God? Even by submission, there is a process of testing and approving what God's will is, because in God's school, you never really graduate, or become independent of God's help. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new about God, and as I learn more about Him, I know what He loves and hates, I can make better decisions that please God, and I can be entrusted with even more important things pertaining to God's kingdom. I must not settle for anything less. Eternal life lies at the end of this process. God's time of favour is here.
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