Meditation on Romans 13:14

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.” Romans 13:14

What a powerful verse! Just two simple observations.

1. Wear Christ – We take Him everywhere.  When’s the last time you left the house without your clothes?  Okay, okay.  It seems that when summer time rolls around, ladies are forgetting them all the time, but that’s beside the point.  You wouldn’t (ordinarily) leave your house naked.  Neither should we go about our day without putting on Christ.  Ephesians 6 talks about the various parts of the armor of God, but what all of these parts boil down to is Christ. He is our armor.  He is our protection.  He is our life. He is our garment.  Clothe yourself with Him today before you do anything else.

2. Starve Your Flesh – When I hear the phrase “make no provision” immediately the image my mind pulls up is a campsite setting.  I picture a guy collecting wood for a fire, clearing a spot for a tent, setting up camp, and getting everything prepared for a night in the wilderness—making provision.  But Paul says here to “make NO provision.” Don’t make it possible for your lusts to feed on what they crave.  Instead, we are to starve them.  Make no provision for them.  Don’t set up camp for them.  Instead, leave them homeless.  Leave them empty and stranded.  Make them suffer in the cold.  Don’t let sin reign in your mortal bodies (Rom. 6:12).