Romans 12:2
Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 is a well-known verse that provides guidance on how Christians should live in the world. To understand its meaning in context, we should look at the verses before and after it and consider the broader message of the book of Romans.
Written by the Apostle Paul, Romans is a letter addressed to the Christian community in Rome. In the preceding chapters, St.Paul has been discussing various theological concepts, including sin, righteousness, justification by faith, and the role of the law. In Romans 12, St.Paul shifts his focus to practical instructions for living out one's faith in the world.
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) says:
"1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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."
Here's an explanation of these verses in context:
Presenting Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices: St.Paul begins by urging us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God. This means dedicating our lives to God's service and living in a way that is holy and pleasing to Him. It's a call to live a life of worship, recognizing the mercy and grace we have received through Jesus Christ.
Do Not Be Conformed to This World: In verse 2, St.Paul advises against conforming to the patterns and values of the world. This implies not adopting the sinful, self-centered ways of the culture around them. Instead, we should maintain a distinct and counter-cultural identity.
Be Transformed by the Renewal of Your Mind: St.Paul emphasizes the importance of a transformed mind. This transformation happens through the renewing work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. It involves changing one's thought patterns, attitudes, and perspectives to align with God's truth and righteousness.
Discerning the Will of God: The purpose of this transformation is to enable us to discern and understand the will of God. By renewing our minds and being spiritually transformed, we can better understand what is good, acceptable, and perfect in God's eyes. This means making choices and decisions in line with God's will, rather than the world's values.
Romans 12:2 is a call for us to live a life of worship and to be transformed by renewing our minds through God's Word and the Holy Spirit. By doing so, we can resist conforming to worldly values and discern God's will, living in a way that is pleasing and aligned with His perfect plan for our lives.
