And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
– Romans 12:2
Why are we to sacrifice ourselves, separate ourselves, and be transformed by the renewing of our minds? It is that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
I must confess that I have been misinterpreting the final phrase of this verse prior to this study all because I missed one little word – “What.” Up until now I have read the verse as, “that ye may prove . . . the will of God.” But we should read the verse as “that ye may prove WHAT is that . . . will of God.” Do you see the difference? I don’t see any problem in putting the will of God to the test. The will of God is perfect, but it is worth us testing it so we can be even more confident in His will. But I believe Paul is here telling us that we need to test “WHAT” we are doing NOW to make sure it IS in FACT the will of God.
The rest of this chapter is devoted to encouraging the Roman believers to find their calling, be faithful in their calling, and be humble in their calling. We all need to find out what our role is in the Body of Christ. If you are a true, saved, born-again child of God reading this today, you ought to be an active member of a local church. In Hebrews 10:25 we read, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” The writer of Hebrews is letting the readers know that some neglect the assembling of the local church, but it is extremely important to not only assemble but to exhort (encourage, lift up, call together) others in the local church. In 1 Corinthians 12 we see that EVERY SINGLE MEMBER is important in the Body of Christ. We will probably be looking at this chapter of Corinthians alongside Romans 12 later on. The fact is that many church members go to church out of habit and tradition. They go to Sunday School and act no better than pitiful bumps on a log (or pew). Sunday School dismisses and they then chat with the same people on the same way to their same seat every Sunday. During the singing they sing the same way. During the preaching, they look like they’re paying attention the same way. Church dismisses, and they go to the same restaurant. Listen! Church is more than this! WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN THE BODY OF CHRIST? Read 1 Corinthians 12. Are you a toe that you may encourage others to remain upright in their spiritual walk? Are an ear that you may absorb and use everything the Lord is saying through the preacher, the singing, and His Word?Are you an arm that you may edify (build up) others who are going through struggles of temptations, afflictions, and sadness? What are you doing in the Body of Christ? This is the subject of the rest of Romans 12.
So I ask again, are you in the will of God? Do you know what your role is in the Body of Christ? You may be asking, “How can I know?! How do I know what I’m supposed to be doing?” This is exactly why Paul prefaced the chapter with verses 1 and 2. Read those verses, meditate on them. If you must, go back through the past few days of devotional studies on this website. I know I have been so blessed in the study of this wonderful passage. I’m more excited now about my role in the Body of Christ than I was before the study! I’m more humbled now about my role in the Body of Christ than I was before the study! In Romans 1-11 God’s plan for the whole world is laid out in doctrinal truth. HIS PLAN IS HUGE! HIS PLAN IS MAGNIFICENT! NOW we realize in God’s infinite wisdom, mercy, and grace, God ACTUALLY has a role for US in HIS plan! Let that sink in a moment…
Isn’t it our duty to find this plan? Isn’t it our duty to examine what we are doing RIGHT NOW to see if we are really in His will? We must Prove WHAT is that will of God.