March 23

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. — Rom 12:2 BSB

How can we find the will of God acceptable? Only by being renewed in the spirit of our minds and transformed to conform to the suffering image of Christ. How dangerous and tempting is the pull of worldly conformity, which sets us at odds with the good, perfect will of God—a will that is acceptable to Christ, the holy angels, the spirits of just men made perfect, and His people on earth, but hateful to devils and ungodly men. How blessed it is to be freed from the power and influence of this worldly spirit and to be molded by the gospel. When we are renewed in our minds, we come to see that God’s will is not only “good”—full of pure goodness—and “perfect”—worthy of all His perfections—but also “acceptable” to our hearts, drawing our affections to embrace it so fully that our will becomes one with His.

Bringing us to this point is the ultimate goal of all gospel discipline. The highest form of gospel obedience is to be passive in His hands, knowing no will but His. Only then can we fully grasp the beauty and blessedness of gospel truth. Only then can we bear the weight of a daily cross, glory in tribulation, endure affliction, savor the sweetness of God’s promises, walk in obedience to His commands, and tread the path that leads to eternal glory.