Romans 13:14 - Putting On Christ.
Romans 13:14 - Putting On Christ.
Romans 13:14 (CEV) Let the Lord Jesus Christ be as near to you
as the clothes you wear. Then you won't try to satisfy your
selfish desire.
Romans 13:14 (NLT) Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of
the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to
indulge your evil desires.
These last verses have been rendered famous in the Christian
church for more than 1,400 years, as being the instrument of the
conversion of Augustine. (Adam Clarke Commentary re Rom. 13:11-14)
This verse gives us the dual responsibility of the believer:
positively, to "put on Christ" - that is, make Christ Lord of your daily
life; negatively, to "make no provision for the flesh" - that is,
deliberately avoid that which tempts you to sin. [Wiersbe Expository
Outlines]
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. This amounts to appropriation -
the deliberate, conscious acceptance of the lordship of the Master -
so that all is under his control - motives, desires, and deeds....
believers have already put on Christ, according to Galatians 3:27, at
conversion and baptism. But there is always room for decisive renewal, for
fresh advance.... If union with Christ is to be experientially
successful, it must be accompanied by a constant reckoning of oneself as
dead to sin and alive to God and his holy will. [Expositors Bible
Commentary]
This life with which the Christian has been clothed must be
continually renewed in the day-by-day experience of growth in
sanctification.... The Christian who perseveres in this transforming experience
will more and more perfectly imitate the life and character of Christ
and reflect Him to the world. [SDA Bible Commentary]
Every sin can be overcome. Don't allow yourself to admit to
any exception, for if you do, this exception will be the loose bolt
that causes the bridge to fall down.
One of the sad things about certain sections of the
modern-day church is the moral fatalism that says in regard to one's sin:
"But what could I do? I am just a frail human being." The implication
is that sin is an integral part of human nature, and as long as we
remain human, we shall never be able to overcome sin. The clear message
of the gospel is spelled out in this verse: "Sin will not rule over
you" (Rom 6:14).
Today's text in The Amplified Bible reads: "But clothe
yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and make no provision
for indulging the flesh - put a stop to thinking about the evil
cravings of your physical nature - to gratify its desires and lusts."
Notice the phrase: "make no provision for indulging the flesh." In
other words, do not provide for failure; provide for victory. There
must be an absoluteness about the whole thing.
There are dangers in pretending we are winning the battle
against sin when we are not, or in approaching the whole issue from
self-effort. But these dangers, in my opinion, are not as great as mentally
providing for sin in our lives. The tyranny of this fatalism - that as
long as we are in the flesh, we must expect to sin - must be broken.
The Christian life must be lived from the standpoint that we expect
not to sin. I repeat: every sin can be overcome.
My Father and my God, help me to lay hold on the fact Your
offer is not simply to help me realize what sin is, but to release me
from it. May I enter more and more into that glorious deliverance day
by day. [Every Day With Jesus Bible with Selwyn Hughes
devotionals]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
It was a rookie mistake. I had been doing some work outside
on a sunny, summer day, and I ended up with a bad sunburn. I should
have known better. It's hardly news that the sun can be a dangerous,
formidable foe that can lead to cancer. At the very least, it can cause
deep burns and great discomfort until the damaged skin heals.
Fortunately, the sun's destructive rays can be easily subdued by a simple
sunscreen.
It's foolish to work out in the sun without our SPF (Sun
Protection Factor). In the same way, it's foolish to try to face any part
of our new lives without our spiritual SPF. In that case, SPF
stands for study, prayer, and fellowship. I also call it my SON
Protection Factor. The more I stay in the Word and study what it says, the
more I talk to the Father through prayer, the more I fellowship with
God's people, then the more protected I am from dangerous and damaging
behaviors. Why risk going out into the world without protection?
Thank you, Father, for giving me the tools to stay safe from
the world's dangerous rays. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate
Recovery Daily Devotional by John & Johnny Baker re Psa. 5:11, 12]
Seek My face at the beginning of your day. This practice
enables you to "put Me on" and "wear Me" throughout the day. Most people
put on clothes soon after arising from bed. Similarly, the sooner
you "put Me on" by communicating with Me, the better prepared you
are for whatever comes your way.
To "wear Me" is essentially to have My mind: to think My
thoughts. Ask the Holy Spirit to control your thinking; be transformed by
this renewal within you. Thus you are well equipped to face whatever
people and situations I bring your way. Clothing your mind in Me is
your best preparation for each day. This discipline brings Joy and
Peace to you and those around you. (Psa. 27:8; Rom. 13:14; Col. 3:12)
[Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2013/20130730-0829.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDY:
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
LINKS FOR PROPHECY SEMINARS:
Revelation Today by Pastor John Bradshaw:
https://revelationtoday.com/other-streams/
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
