In January and February I asked friends to share with me their favorite bible verses so that I could practice and improve upon my calligraphy skills. It was such a blessing to be able to meditate on so many wonderful passages of Scripture – and to learn why the particular verses were so impactful and beautiful to individual people in their walks with the Lord. I wrote a little blog post about doing that as well and what I learned. A few people asked me what my favorite is. It is Romans 12 verse 2:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
- Romans 12:2
This was the first passage of scripture that I really studied and let sink into my soul. This was during the weekend that I became a believer at a ministry retreat with Campus Outreach in Asheville, North Carolina my freshman year of college (February 2012). Since that time, the Scriptures have provided me with so much comfort, truth, conviction, and hope. I would love to share with you a little of my story and my interpretation of this verse and why I find it so beautiful and essential.
DO NOT BE CONFORMED
This first phrase in this verse “Do not be conformed” is the first thing that attracted me to wonder about this thing called Christianity: seeing people living differently than the rest... In 2012, I was invited to the retreat by a friend who lived in my dorm at UNC – she had been inviting me to meetings, events, retreats all year and I had brushed her off because of skepticism and lack of interest. What did intrigue me, though, was the way she, and the community of people in her circle of friends, conducted themselves and loved each other with a genuineness that was truly unique. I felt like they had something that most people did not - but I couldn’t figure out what it was. They had this hope, love, and joy — and it was something that I hadn't felt or seen in many people before. When I heard the gospel preached for the first time, I realized what their hope was in, where the love stemmed from, and why they could have this transcendent joy: they had recognized and received redemption through Christ.
Paul, the writer of the book of Romans, speaks about how the conduct of Christians should be different from that of those who are not. But what does that mean? The word “conform” means to “behave according to socially acceptable conventions or standards.” This is a typical theme in storytelling: a character with the desire to fit in while also wanting to be unique and feeling somehow separate – this has always resonated with me. Is there more to life than the day-to-day things that we must do?
TO THIS WORLD
In particular, what does the world offer us? Where do we find satisfaction? What brings happiness and fulfillment in the world? Some common things that people find these things in are: family, romantic relationships, work, community, fighting for a cause, wealth, and enjoyable life experiences. The bible teaches that these things, while good, are not ultimate. They will never fully satisfy you – you will feel glimpses of fullness but will constantly need filling. This quote by C.S. Lewis I believe captures this idea very well:
“‘Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exist. A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling desires to swim: well, there is such a thing as water. Men feel sexual desire: well, there is such a thing as sex. If I find in myself a desire, which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.” - C.S. Lewis
Though our most basic physical and emotional needs are met by things here on this world – our souls long for more. Do you ever long for: perfection? —for feeling so loved and understood by someone that no one can perfectly give to you – even if they come close? Do you wonder why there is suffering, hatred, evil and what is the just response to it? Can this world be all that there is? Could we be created for more?
This verse in Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He has also set eternity in the human heart” – notes this longing exists. C.S. Lewis speaks of this concept of “cosmic nostalgia” – a longing for heaven, a place we do not know but can sense in hearts exists.
“Most people, if they have really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise. The longings which arise in us when we first fall in love, or first think of some foreign country, or first take up some subject that excites us, are longings which no marriage, no travel, no learning, can really satisfy. I am not now speaking of what would be ordinarily called unsuccessful marriages, or holidays, or learned careers. I am speaking of the best possible ones. There was something we have grasped at, in that first moment of longing, which just fades away in the reality. I think everyone knows what I mean. The wife may be a good wife, and the hotels and scenery may have been excellent, and chemistry may be a very interesting job: but something has evaded us.”
- C. S. Lewis
In the first book of the bible, Genesis, we see that paradise was lost. There was perfect harmony in the Garden of Eden, full satisfaction, and communion with God. But then sin entered the world, and we have what we have now -- sin, brokenness, suffering, and death. But God’s plan of redemption was in place from the beginning. Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for our sins, and His victory over death, we can be redeemed to know and worship God through repentance and faith.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
When I first became a Christian, my first question was: What does it mean to live in the world now in light of the truth of the Gospel? Knowing that Jesus died for the forgiveness of all of my sins (for everyone’s) how does that inform my day to day and perspective on everything? There is a lot of language that contrasts life before salvation and afterwards. You were in darkness, and now are in light:
“...that you may proclaim the excellencies of him out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
1 Peter 2:9-10
Do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:14-16
Peter is reminding Christians to not go back to living how they did before coming to knowledge of the truth, but press forward in sanctification. There is also language around the sufferings of the world and how although that while that still happens after becoming a Christian, we can find comfort in knowing that Jesus suffered and then was triumphant.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
The world also tells us to be strong, perfect, smart, and excellent in everything, but God speaks about how those who are downtrodden will be exalted.
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; (1 Corinthians 1:27)
And also in the beatitudes (Matthew 5: 3-10):
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Essentially, those who are lacking and/or who realize their need – will receive comfort, satisfaction, an inheritance, mercy, and the kingdom of heaven. This was how I came to know the Lord: I realized my need, I found myself unsatisfied by what the world offered, I felt deep deep sadness and hopelessness -- essentially my soul was searching for a meaningful identity, hope, and purpose. This quote by Dr. Timothy Keller (someone who I have learned so much from over the years) truly conveys the power of digging into the depths of your darkness, sadness, depravity, and deficiency -- to see the light and behold our savior:
“We follow Jesus because he’s the one who taught us that the repenting soul is the triumphant soul. That to lose our lives is to find our lives. That the dark valley, not the mountaintop, is the place we behold your grace and glory. Let us find your light in our darkness, your joy in our sorrow, your grace in our sin, your riches in our poverty, your glory in our valley. This is the way.” - Timothy Keller
Spurgeon also paints this beautiful picture of the contrast of salvation with sin.
“The black background of sin makes the bright line of love shine out the more clearly. When the lightning writes the name of the Lord with flaming finger across the black brow of the tempest, we are compelled to see it; so when love inscribes the cross upon the jet tablet of our sin, even blind eyes must see that "herein is love.”” - Charles Spurgeon
BE TRANSFORMED
In contrast to the concept of living in conformity to the world, Paul encourages us to experience transformation. The word transformation in the dictionary refers to a “thorough or dramatic change in form, appearance, or character.” R.C. Sproul reminds us of the Greek translation as well:
“The word for repentance in Greek is — μετάνοια (metánoia) — which means a changing of the mind. Prior to repentance, you thought according to the precepts of the world. But when the Holy Spirit brought you into conviction —awakened you to your absolute need for a savior, and your rest to the Cross — when that happened — your mind was changed and the direction of your life was changed.” - R.C. Sproul
I personally can attest to the transformative power of the gospel: the direction of my life was completely changed. It is also important to note that it is the Holy Spirit (God) who brought you into conviction and faith in Jesus Christ. Sinclair Ferguson says this: “Knowing who we are will shape how we live.” Identity and worthiness are very prominent concerns in minds, especially in our culture today. What gives you worth, what marks you as significant? God, the maker of Heaven and Earth, created you in His image. That is what gives you worth above anything else in creation – humans were created with a touch of the divine. And God desires to have a relationship with us. Through Christ, we become children of the Most High King. Not only are we made in His image, we are adopted as sons. We have an inheritance in heaven. How can this not dramatically transform our character? It will.
In general, I love the concept of transforming – to never be stagnant, to pursue a future state of being. In the worldly sense, this may refer to self-improvement or growing in maturity or knowledge. In the Scripture, it has a similar meaning but the power for transformation comes from a source outside of ourselves. The grammatical implications of this phrase “be transformed” is very interesting. As Sinclair Ferguson notes in his book “Devoted to God”, “Paul seems to be exhorting us to actively engage in something in which we ourselves are passive.” Yes, because we have a part to play in our discipline, but the main power for transformation comes from God. We will dive deeper into what this looks like in the next few sections.
THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND
What is the goal of our transformation though? What are we growing in? What is the instrument for transformation? The answer is provided in the next phrase: “be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” This is my favorite part of the verse. Faith engages your MIND. It is not merely a feeling, emotional crutch, or empty phrases with no substance. The bible is clear about the role of the intellect in understanding of Truth. Personally, I have a critical, analytical mind – so I love that our calling is to grow in wisdom. It is so important to mature in life and in Christ. I think mindset informs a lot of how we act and feel about life. Emotions on the other hand, cannot always be trusted. We may feel something that does not stem from a basis in reality. Knowing what is Truth and what is not will impact how we interact with our emotions and other behaviors. This quote accurately assesses this phrase of the verse:
“The truth of the gospel informs and illumines our thinking. It thus begins to permeate our mindset and influence our dispositions… God’s word has power to renew minds and transform lives. As the greatness of the gospel begins to fill and to expand our minds, as we come to know God’s Son, through God’s word, by God’s Spirit, a process of change takes place in our thinking, feeling, desiring, willing, and living. God’s word and Spirit work together and actively and powerfully change us.” (Ferguson)
If we consider the mind being central in your being – and how many behaviors stem from it – it is essential that this is what is transformed first. The mind’s transformation and renewing will impact your words and actions towards others. The term “renewal” refers to a repairing, replacing, or being made new. In Christ, we learn a whole new pattern of thinking, viewing the world, ourselves, and people around it. We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that in Christ we are a “new creation”. It is the concept of rebirth or being born again – a turning away from sin and yourself, and a turning towards the God who created you to love and know and worship him.
put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
But how will this transformation and renewing of your mind happen? Will it be through ethereal visions and revelations to each of us individually? No, how could that be validated? He does this through the Word. “Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.” (Luke 24:45) It is not up to us to strive and strive for answers on our own. God has answered so many of life’s questions in the Bible.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
And in being transformed into this new creation, what will we start to conform to now? No longer are we being conformed to the world, but to Christ. Sanctification is the process of growing in holiness – accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit.
“So, if I want my mind totally renovated, if I want to think the way God wants me to think, I have the source right here. It is the mind of God revealed in Scripture.” -John MacArthur
DISCERNment
The next phrase “that by testing you may discern what is the will of God” provides the goal of the transformation and renewal of our minds. Discernment is so crucial in life. The word discern means “perceive or recognize (something)” and “the ability to judge well.” Solomon asked God for wisdom in 1 Kings:
And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.
1 Kings 3:11-12
God is pleased with discernment – he values wisdom – and there is a distinction between knowledge and wisdom. Sometimes questions of morality or life are more complicated than right and wrong and we must pray for wisdom and discernment to correctly assess the more subtle distinctions in decision-making and behavior. This verse in Philippians is similar in its prompting believers to pursue discernment:
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1: 9-11
I love this bible that has wide margins for taking notes during sermons and personal study time.
I love the phrase “depth of insight” in that passage. It adds to the understanding of pushing past the surface and obvious things – and strive for deeper understanding. And while there are things that can never be fully understood on this side of heaven, the striving to know God and comprehend the sacrifice of Christ has infinite depth because it surpasses our capacity for understanding.
…that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19).
John MacArthur stresses this depth as well in his sermon on this text:
“You don’t help people by keeping them in superficial understanding of everything, by making everything as simple as you can by a reductionist approach to the Bible. I cringe at some preaching that I hear. It is so minimal. You want them to understand as much as possible... Paul pleads with us on this regard to grasp the mercies of God in their fullness. That’s the mandate.” - MacArthur
How do we discern? Again, the instrument is the Word of God. What a valuable gift that God has given us to get to know him and re-calibrate our thinking to align with what is true. In Romans Paul urges us to engage in
“wholehearted devotion, to real repentance in which we turn away from the old life, no longer allowing ourselves to be squeezed into the world’s mould, but instead allowing ourselves to be transformed by the renewing our minds through the instrument of his word.” (Ferguson).
THE WILL OF GOD
Know we move on to what we are discerning: “that by testing you may discern what is the will of God.” So what does that will look like? This is a common question that I hear people wondering about: “What is God’s will for my life?” People want a clear and specific path for their particular life and the “amazing journey” God has in store for them. In fact, God’s plan for your life may not be what you anticipated or hoped even — but it will be far greater for you. There is also a difference between the things that occur in your life and God’s will and intention for your spiritual well-being. The bible is clear that the main will of God for you is to know Him, to worship Him through Christ, and to be sanctified. If you look at places where the phrase “will of God” is found, it is clear – here are some examples: “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God” -1 Thessalonians 5:18, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” -1 Thessalonians 4:3, and Jesus speaks directly about it: And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23) and before his crucifixion he said:
“nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” - Luke 22:42
We have in the Scriptures commandments to follow, and we do so in Christ with joy and praise not out of mere obligation but out of love for God. Christ will transform your mind first, and then your behaviors will flow from that. You will begin to love people out of a selflessness that is only possible because your eyes are fixed on Him. Here is what it looks like when your mind conforms to Christ instead:
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus
Philippians 2:1-5
The fruits of the spirit will start to show in your life: humility, joy, love, and ultimately selflessness. Being transformed therefore impacts more than just yourself, it impacts those who you interact with in the world - friends, family, and strangers.
GOOD & ACCEPTABLE & PERFECT
The last part of the verse is: “what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The “good and acceptable and perfect” adjectives describe the will of God. Some synonyms include: excellent, satisfactory, sufficient, faultless. These are traits that we often desire for ourselves, but cannot obtain. Jesus is the only one who lived a perfect life and his perfect record fulfilled God’s expectation for righteousness.
And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.
Hebrews 5:9
What a glorious truth! By faith in Jesus, we can find rest in his finished work on the cross. Both our sins and our attempts at righteousness have been covered by his blood. The law of God is not an unrealistic expectation, it is perfectly just.
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple
Psalm 19:7
It is the transformation in Christ that makes the will of God now perceived as perfect to us. To the unbeliever, the will of God – the law – is undesirable. We want to walk our own path, following our own truth, find our own satisfaction. But to the believer in Christ, the will of God is beautiful, desirable, and fulfilling. “The gospel turns the duty of doing and experiencing God’s will into a delight.” (Ferguson) We now will delight in doing what God has commanded of us.
“This, perhaps, is the most obvious contrast between life in sin and life in grace. To the unregenerate, God’s will is inevitably unpleasant, simply because it is his will and not their will. They do not know that he wills much better for us than we can ever will for ourselves. But to those who are being transformed, God’s will brings pleasure.” (Ferguson)
That quote reminded me of another one of my favorite verses in Ephesians which says:
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21).
God’s will for our lives will be so much greater than what we ever could have fathomed. If indeed you have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, you will yield to His will gladly and with rejoicing. And the things of this world will not be able to stand up to the immeasurable love of Christ. As you surrender and submit to God, behold what a glorious work he will do in your character. The life of the Christian is a constant repenting and turning towards Christ – a shunning of the world’s temptations and empty promises and a fixing their gaze on the King who is the bread of life – a life of prayer and praise to God.
In summary, this verse is both encouraging and convicting. It shows us the limitations of the world, and the potential growth for a redeemed life. It points us to Jesus – who is the good, acceptable, perfect sacrifice for our sins. And reminds us of how — in faith — we will be transformed and sanctified in our minds and therefore our conduct as well, becoming conformed to Christ, who is the “founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
Saint Augustine
Thank you for reading this (long) post. I would love to hear your thoughts - feel free to email me at hello@kaitlynashlee.com. I have also listed/linked some of the sermons and books that I referenced if you are interested.
Resources:
R.C. Sproul: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/sermons/living-sacrifices-god/
John MacArthur: https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/80-323/the-critical-elements-of-true-worship
Sinclair Ferguson book: “Devoted to God: Blueprints for Sanctification”
my first annotations
^^ This was my starting annotations - asking questions, defining terms, etc.