“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you might prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

Romans 12:1-2 is one of the most powerful, and frequently quoted sets of verses in the Bible, and yet the last little phrase may be one that is often overlooked: “the will of God is … good and acceptable and perfect.”

This verse reminds us that God’s will is “good”; even “perfect.” We need that reminder, because it often seems to us to be less than that — especially if we have not “renewed our minds” like the first part of the verse commands. Because we are so “conformed to this world” we do not understand or appreciate the will of the Lord. It seems to us like His will should be much different than it is.  But any shortcomings in understanding are surely our own, not His!  The more we “renew” our minds by spending time with God in His word and prayer, the better we will come to understand — if only by faith — that what God has ordained is indeed “good & acceptable & perfect.”

Jim Eliot once said: “The will of God is always a bigger thing than we bargain for, but we must believe that whatever it involves, it is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Jim Elliot)

If we truly believe in a God who breathed a universe into being, then we must also believe that His ways must be far above ours — not only in their complexity, but also in thier goodness!  As Psalm 119:68 teaches: “You are good, and do good.”  The more we renew our minds, and the better we know Him, the more we will really understand that His will is good.