Facebook Post (9/25/23):
'Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.' Romans 12:2 (NRSV)
Using one of my favorite online tools, biblehub.com, I look at verses like Romans 12:2, which I've known since I was a little girl, and I examine each translated word. What might I have "lost in translation?" Here are a few treasures from translation:
'Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think' (NLT)
'Be transformed by the renewing of your mind, for your proving what is the will of God -- the good, and acceptable, and perfect.' (YLT)
'continuously be transformed...' (ISV)
'Be transformed by the renovation of your minds, and you shall distinguish what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.' (Arabic Bible in Plain English)
Much to think about, which is, um, basically the point of Romans 12:2. Paul encourages us to give our thoughts over to God, so he can mold the way we think.
That can be hard in our world. Twenty-four hour news channels, social media hullabaloo, banning of books, lite theology running rampant.
Here's what I especially like about Romans 12:2. It's a follow up to Romans 12:1.'I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.' Romans 12:1 (NRSV)
Here's what I'm learning. God doesn't just want our church selves. He wants our whole self. When we walk with Jesus, the Holy Spirit inside of us guides us into physical, spiritual and mental health. They're inseparable.
Wholly Holy, as an act of worship.
Just as there are bad teachers of theology out there, there are bad teachers of physical health, and bad teachers of mental health. Some falsehoods I refute:
- Catholics aren't Christians.
- Diet culture.Natural Health can't partner with modern medicine.
- God doesn't want us to use medicine to treat things like anxiety and mental illness.
- Going back to Romans 12:2, Christians have a great responsibility here. We are to steward our bodies and our minds, leading the way in right thinking. We must discern what is good and acceptable and perfect. That doesn't mean linear, black and white thinking. It means taking the time to learn, realizing the complexities of every situation, and seeing where God pours his grace over every situation in our lives, again and again. This process is harder and slower and more challenging than I ever realized, especially in a society that wants quick, definitive answers for everything.
He delights in helping us form our thinking. Which takes me to another verse in the book of Romans. Let's look at it in The Message: 'That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.' Romans 8:28
_____________
Let's connect online!
TracesofFaith is listener-supported by a growing community of friends on Patreon. Click here to offer monthly support.
