S.Scripture | Romans 13:14 “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”
O.Observation | This chapter opens reviewing the submission due to earthly governing authorities and their responsibility and right to punish evil, even with the sword (vs.1-6). Then Paul moves to call his readers to love, which fulfills the law and will of God. He then points to our eagerness and preparedness as we love others in light of the day at hand. Meaning we are to be ready for Jesus return and judgment always. This view of preparation in verses 11 and 12 is the meat of the sandwich that connects verses 7 thru 10 to 13 and 14.
The true believer is to take seriously a life of holiness and readiness. He knows to whom he belongs and to whom he loves. The result is to be a constant desire to live for his Lord’s pleasure and not his flesh’s pleasures. This is why he makes “no provision for the flesh.” “No” is a strong and complete concept. Leaving no room for a little bit of this temptation or that. What are these lusts of the flesh we leave no provision for? All of our thoughts, words and deeds contrary to the good will of the Lord. For the flesh sets its desires against God’s Spirit who is at work within us who are forgiven by grace through Jesus Christ. (For more study on this see Galatians 5:17–23.) This is a real and constant battle with eternal significance and one of the greatest strategies has just been given to us by our Master and chief.
A.Application | Put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Cover yourself and your life in who He is as Christ, which is messiah or Savior. He loves those who have believed. He has forgiven you if you have put your faith (confident trust) in Him. He has cleansed the true believer of their sin and He has won the victory. Put this Jesus on, over all that you are. Both as your Christ and as your Lord. Follow Him as the Lord of your life, the master who has bought you with His life. Obey Him and His word with a joyful and thankful submission.
Asking – How are there provisions for my flesh today? How can I instead of allowing these opportunities to sin put on my Lord and Savior instead? What opportunities and temptations or open allurements and pathways to fleshly desires and sin that I need to turn from and remove from my life today? Too often the lukewarm approach is to allow temptation because it is not sin itself. Do I follow this approach because it pleases my flesh in leaving provision for it? Or do I follow the Lord’s call to put on Christ and “make no provision for the flesh?”
P.Prayer | Father give me a greater anticipation of your Son’s coming. I confess I grow apathetic and forget to live with a joyful readiness for that day. I fail to live for your desires and instead allow way too much opportunity and temptation for my flesh. Father, because of your grace and mercy, in forgiving me and adopting me as Your child, I want to live in a way that pleases You. So, open my eyes and give me the self-discipline to remove temptations from my life. As both my Savior and Lord you are the only rightful master of my life, you have bought my life and it belongs to you. I ask as you have taught me to ask, that you would lead me not into temptation. Yet, when temptation does come, give me the strength in those moments to run. To put on my Lord Jesus Christ through prayer and devotion to your Word. That I may live a more holy life that pleases you. And that I might more fully glorify you in every thought, word and deed. SDG. Amen.
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