Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

“I got nothin’ to prove to nobody!”

Be honest now, you’ve said it, haven’t you! I have. Usually it was said out of frustration and just a little bit of resentment. Just a little bit. I don’t like to be challenged over things I know to be true. So prove it.

I spent, no wasted, many years trying to prove myself to people. I really have changed or have I? The issue may still be up for debate. I wrestle with that question still today because there are still things I would like changed in me that I don’t seem to have the same success as with other things.

The renewing of the mind is not an easy thing. It is physiological, psychological and spiritual. If it were just spiritual, I think I’d be there already. I have the best help there, perfect help in fact. It is a lot more complicated than installing a new operating system for your computer.

I have nothing I can prove to anyone.

That’s the truth and I have come to accept that the proving of Romans 12:2 is really about God proving Himself to me. I do not stand much of a chance in walking in God’s will, good, acceptable or perfect, if I do not have a sincere faith in the relationship I have with God.

Like all relationships, with man or God, time has to be spent in sharing your life with the other. How much I want that relationship to improve determines how much renewing happens. If you are comfortable and secure in your relationship, you will allow it to stay the same. Renewing means you want change, you seek improved relationships, and you spend an appropriate amount of time with that other. In this case it is God.

2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

God keeps His promises. There’s your proof.

 

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

The Lord tells us what to expect in the end. So why do so many of us share different and varied expectations of the end? Perhaps it is connected with our desire for a particular end. There are more than one ending as described in the bible.

There is the end of the church age and the prophesies and events surrounding that end. I know I am personally looking forward to that point in time when the body of Christ is complete and the last soul to be won to Christ has said yes to our Lord. That’s one end.

There is the end of the millennial kingdom when Satan will be cast forever from earth, the end of our enemy. That has to be one end which many could say is something to look forward to indeed.

Then there is the great and terrible day of the Lord. The enemies of Christ and many who have persecuted and beheaded Christians will come to their end. I have to admit, I have a desire to see God’s justice enacted.

How about Armageddon? Is there an end there and if so what comes to an end? War in the middle-east perhaps? I am not sure but there does seem to be a finality to the description of that event.

Perhaps you are looking to judgment day, where you will receive a white robe and a stone upon which no one knows a name, and what that might mean. But is that an end? It sounds more like a beginning to me.

I will tell you what I think is the expected end.

Romans 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

I am born again, a new creature, but I do not yet have His likeness, which will be my end.

Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.