BE NOT CONFORMED
Romans 12:2 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 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.
I want to dissect Romans chapter 12 verse 2 a little bit for two reasons. First to give you a b etter comprehension of how to understand the Bible better and second to get an understanding of this great verse.
The first word is “and”. And is a conjunction, it always ties what is preceding with what comes after. So, to see what the full context of this is you need to follow back up the verses until you run out of conjunctions. Coordinating Conjunctive words are- and, but, or , nor, for, so, yet. ”And” continues a thought whereas “but” sets in contrast that which proceeds with that which follows. To follow the trail of conjunctions we need to go all the way back to Romans 11:33
Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
You see in Romans 12:1 it says “therefore”? When the Bible says therefore you have to ask yourself why for. In verse 36 of chapter eleven it starts with “for” verse 35 starts with “or”, verse 34 starts with “for” and verse 33 Starts with “O”.
11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
God’s wisdom and understanding is so great that they are without reproach and if it says past finding out there is no way anyone will ever find them out
11:34who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Verse 34 is a rhetorical question, it doesn’t need an answer because the answer is so obvious. That answer is no one.
11:35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
You can never out give God, Never!
11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
, God made everything! It is because of God we live and breath. People may think that they are alone or greater than anything or anybody else but, it isn’t true. God is always there and just as in the parable of the harvest (Matt. 13:24-30) He lets the rain fall on the just and the unjust until the end of time talked about in Revelation.
Then after all of that in verses 33 through 36 God says I beseech you, I lovingly implore you, I beg you by God’s withholding of merited judgements that you present yourself a dead sacrifice???? No, No, No! A living sacrifice. That’s right we are to live, live, LIVE for God! A sacrifice is something that is committed, there is no two ways about it. That’s what we are to be by doing the things that follow. We are to be holy (set apart) and we have to be acceptable unto God. There are nine verses where the Greek word “euarestos”,translate acceptable in this verse, is used. The first usage is here in verse one the second is verse 2. The others are Romans 14:18 , II Corinthians 5:9, Ephesians 5:10, Philippians 4:18, Colossians 3:20 (translated wellpleasing), Titus 2:9 (translated well), Hebrews 12:28 (acceptably), and Hebrews 13:21 (wellpleasing). By looking at the other usages you will get a better understanding. But, in this case you will get a great understanding just by reading the rest of the chapter.
Let’s reread verse two:
Romans 12:2 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.
Conformed means to be shaped or molded. We are not to be shaped or molded by this world. What man say or what man does. We are to be transformed, just like the Transformer movie but we are not to take the shape of cars or robots we are to be transformed into something much more exciting by the renewing, the newing up, of your mind and the only place you will ever get that is from the Bible which is the revealed Word and Will of God.
When we do that, when we study to show ourselves approved unto God, we will prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect Will of God. You will be manifesting the Christ within. You will be the more than a conqueror, you will be manifesting the love of God in this world you will be “as he is.”
What an opportunity we have in this day and time. This is not a time to run and hide; it is a time to stand boldly and having done all STAND!
