Tested
and do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect Romans 12:2
May Prove – Wouldn’t it be nice to prove what God’s will is for you? Isn’t that what we all need to know? Paul seems to suggest that the transformation process leads directly to proving God’s will. That should spur us on to look at the deepest possible meaning here. But what we find isn’t exactly what we expected.
Paul has a unique approach to Greek. He often constructs his own way of saying things. If we aren’t aware of the subtleties of his use of the language, we miss out on the deeper meanings. This translation is a prime example. The Greek is eis to dokimazein. This combination of Greek words is translated “may prove,” but that isn’t quite right. You see, Paul uses the construction eis to plus a verb infinite in a special way. Forty-three times Paul applies this combination to indicate purpose. So, what Paul is really saying is this: “renew your mind with the purpose that you prove what God’s will is.” Renewal has a goal. That goal is wrapped up in the verb dokimazo. What does this verb mean? Well, it’s not about offering proof. It’s about discerning, trying and distinguishing. It is to examine (and therefore prove) by some method. Now we see that Paul is not suggesting that renewal of your mind will give you divine insight into God’s perfect plan for your life. What Paul says is that as a result of renewal, your transformed life will act as the testing ground for God’s will. You will be the proof. The purpose of the will of God will be demonstrated in you. The goal is not for me to get the inside scoop on what God is doing. The goal is that I am the vehicle that proves what the will of God is.
Does this discourage you? Did you think that if you could just get the right frame of mind you would suddenly have your life’s plan all mapped out for you? Do you see that thinking like this is out of character with God? God never shows the cards before it is necessary. Why? The answer might be that if He ever did show us His full plan, we would crumble. Imagine how Paul felt when Ananias came to him to tell him “all that he must suffer” for Yeshua. Only a few of us could take that kind of announcement. God graciously hides the truth until we are ready to receive it. Furthermore, our preoccupation with knowing the future is idolatry. It denies the sovereignty of God and blocks our practice of dependence. Since God wants us to have constant communication with Him as Father, you can be assured that He will not reveal what you don’t need to deal with now. He is training us to rely on Him, not to get tomorrow’s news today. We read this verse as a secret door to the future because we want to be self-reliant and independent even in the midst of a relationship with God. It’s time to see what it really says.
God’s will is showing itself in you. How? By the renewal of your mind. By submitting to Him in every facet of your life. That includes your plans for tomorrow. When you take on God’s perspective, you become the proof of God’s will. That is a moment-by-moment trust in His reliability. “Give us this day our daily bread” is enough for the renewed person. Is it enough for you?
Topical Index: Transformation
