Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. English Standard Version (ESV)
You may think that today's society is so much different than 100 or a 1000 or 2000 years ago. But man's nature really hasn't changed. People through the ages have had a natural tendency to be "wrapped up" in themselves, consumed by achievements, possessions, and vain pursuits. People lose sleep plotting and scheming and then arise in the morning to put it into action with very little thought of God, His desires, and knowing what is truly meant for us.
To "put on" Christ is literally to cloth yourself, wrap yourself up in His likeness, not in outward appearance but the desires of the heart and the actions which coincide. This putting on is symbolic of our thoughts and behavior.
On the flipside, we are to make "no provision", no planning ahead, no scheming to satisfy our earthly desires and to indulge in things that may bring short term pleasure but long term pain and sorrow.
God's Word, prayer and Christian fellowship play important roles in putting this into practice.
Psalm 119:105-7 By your words I can see where I'm going;
they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
I've committed myself and I'll never turn back
from living by your righteous order.
Everything's falling apart on me, God;
put me together again with your Word.
Festoon me with your finest sayings, God;
teach me your holy rules. The Message (MSG)
they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
I've committed myself and I'll never turn back
from living by your righteous order.
Everything's falling apart on me, God;
put me together again with your Word.
Festoon me with your finest sayings, God;
teach me your holy rules. The Message (MSG)
If you feel like you are falling apart, cry out to Jesus, let Him "put you together again" through the power of His Word, be "festooned", adorned or wrapped in it, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Romans 13:14
The Message (MSG)
11-14 But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!
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