Zambia Hunt

The renewed mind is given for a purpose, and the close of Romans 12:2 names it: “that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

God’s Purpose Develops a Discerning Mind

Here is the third truth: God’s purpose develops a discerning mind. A person remade in this way can do something he could never do before—he can evaluate, and judge, and choose well.

The word Paul uses for test or prove is the word for an assayer. An assayer is the expert who takes a piece of ore, whether copper or gold, and subjects it to chemical tests to determine its worth—whether it is true gold or only fool’s gold, and how much gold the rock truly holds. He proves the thing to see whether it is genuine. That is the sense here: to put to the test, to approve, to discern. The man or woman who has offered their body as a living sacrifice can do just this with the choices of life, weighing ideas and opportunities, and deciding in line with eternal values.

When we take the shape of the world, we lose that capacity. We lurch toward one opportunity and then another, governed by impulse rather than by truth. “The first man who comes along, I will marry—I am desperate; surely he will be saved one day.” That is worldly thinking. “I am sick and tired of this; I will raise my hand against her, and then she will listen.” That is worldly thinking. “I think this marriage is finished; I will simply file for divorce.” That, too, is worldly thinking.

But when we give ourselves to God as a living sacrifice, set apart for Him, our minds renewed day by day in His Word, then we can look upon any circumstance, any decision, with the mind of Christ. A transformed mind can discern the will of God for a life.

And Paul gives three descriptions. It is, first, good. Not merely good for us, but good in God’s own sight. His will cannot lead us astray; His ways are always best. He governs every circumstance at every moment, and His will is good because He Himself is good. We will come to see that goodness even when everything immediately around us looks bad, for we know that all things work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28). His will is good.

It is, second, acceptable—the very word from verse 1. There, Paul spoke of an acceptable sacrifice; here, of an acceptable will. The consecrated life and the discerning life turn out to be one and the same, and this is where every Christian should rest. God pours out His pleasure on the child who is given over to His will and able to discern it.

It is, third, perfect—which is to say complete, lacking nothing. God’s will leaves no gaps in a life. It is sufficient for every situation we will ever meet.

Worship in verse 1 and discernment in verse 2 belong together. Doxology is the natural response of the justified man who has seen the wonder of what Christ accomplished for him on the cross; worship is what rises in a man who has come face to face with his Lord. And the point of it all is this: God’s mercy deserves everything you have, and God’s will demands everything you are. Give Him everything, and you will find His will to be good, pleasing, and perfect.

What, Then, Shall We Do?

What should we do with all of this? What response does the overflowing mercy of God deserve? A few questions press for an answer.

First, have you placed yourself on the altar as a sacrifice to God? Romans 12:1–2 is written to Christians, Paul addresses “brothers and sisters.” If you are not yet a child of God, this is not yet yours to do; repent of your sins and believe in Jesus, and you will be brought in. But if you do belong to Him, the question stands: have you laid yourself on the altar, or do you still keep locked boxes in your heart—”God, You may have this, and this, but not that”?

Second, have you allowed the world to press you into its shape? If so, will you repent and do something about it this week?

Third, are you feeding your mind on the Word of God? Are you giving the Spirit the very material He uses to renew your thinking?

“I appeal to you, therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”