Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death;

Wages are considered payment for services rendered. If you work for someone, they owe you. The idea of refusing payment here is not optional. You can refuse to believe that, but as one judge pointed out to me, ignorance of the law is no excuse. The principle exist whether you agree with it or not.

The procedure for paying back the wages of sin is ancient. Man has been trying to buy his life for thousands of years. In Hebrew history sin offerings were made daily. In pagan history human sacrifices were made. A fierce sense of debt is felt by even primitive man, even in ignorance of sin and the law.

Today many attach works to salvation, as if grace is insufficient to provide just payment for the debt man has incurred. Even non-believers believe they owe a debt. Billionaires give away millions to philanthropic endeavors to buy good will, not so much from God but mankind.

But if you debt is your life, what could you possibly pay to make restitution for your life? No amount of good works or money could possibly mean that much to the one you owe. How could you by your freedom?

Well you cannot. What you can do however is allow someone who has those kind of resources to buy your debt. Think of it as having your employment contract bought out and going into debt to another employer. One with better benefits and one who’s wages are life.

Romans 8:11-13 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

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.