Proving Our Faith is Real
That you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
Rom. 12:1-2, 9, 21; Rom. 1:16-17; Mark 14:38; Eph. 2:8-10 and 5:8-10; I Th. 5:17; Col. 4:12
What Is God Saying?
This is the beginning of Paul's practical exhortation to his readers following eleven chapters of the great doctrines or teachings about the Gospel. Paul declares the Gospel to be the ‘power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith’ (Rom. 1:16). He explains justification by faith. He goes on to say what this means in terms of living in the present.
Faith needs to be expressed in goodness. It is not an ornament that dangles around the neck. It is not a valuable document that lies hidden in a safe deposit drawer. It is not a resource that we keep in reserve in case we might need it. It has everything to do with life as it is lived right now, transformed, empowered, and directed for living. Hence, he logically begins with, ‘Therefore, I appeal to you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect’ (Rom. 12:1-2).
How Does This Apply To Us?
The thrust of Paul's message is that while we are not saved by good works, we are saved for good works. In other words, by transforming minds and bodies that are a living sacrifice to God, we demonstrate to the world the good acceptable and perfect will of God. We are not to go along with the world, we are to show the world. We are not to be conformed to the world's customs, patterns, and standards. We are to be transformed in mind and heart and purpose until what we do is done according to God's blueprints. Put succinctly, beliefs affect the way we live. We show what we are and what we believe by how we live. Paul leaves no doubt about this when he tells us how we are saved and why we are saved (Eph. 2:8-10).
Pray With Me
Lord, what a marvelous privilege is mine, and what a great responsibility I have! To think that my life, what I do, what I say, what I am, can prove what is the will of God, is too much for me. In my strength, I am far from good. To myself and others, I am far from acceptable. In my own and others' opinions, I am anything but perfect. Yet the goal of the Christian is to prove what is the will of God.
Thank You, Lord, that this is a goal. It is a direction in which my life should be pointed. It is a pathway along which I should walk. It is a star by which I should set my course. The only One who was and is perfect, perfectly good and perfectly acceptable, is Jesus Christ, but in Him, by His grace, and in the power of His redeeming love, I too can be good and acceptable and perfect.
Hear my prayer for today, dear Father. May my life, in all the facets of its being, in all of my associations with others, in the things I do, on the mountaintop of meditation where all is clear and still, in the valley where decisions must often be made amid confusion and turmoil. Lord, at all times and in all ways, let my life prove what, by Your grace, I am. Not perfectly good, but pointed in that direction because that is what Christ has made me. Not acceptable, but, through Christ, a member of the family. Not perfect, but wanting to become more and more what Christ has made me.
So, Lord, I do not bring any goodness or perfection as my claim to being accepted, but I would bring Your goodness and perfection as proof that I have been accepted, in the will and by the grace of God.
Through Jesus Christ to all who receive Him and love Him. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
We are called to live out the will of God in a life that is good, acceptable, and perfect, so prayer becomes the most essential item on our agenda. ‘Pray without ceasing’ (I Thess. 5:17), and ‘Continue steadfastly in prayer’ (Col. 4:2). ‘Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation’ (Mark 14:38).
