Put On and Take Off

Romans 13:14

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

In our last study we looked at “Putting on Christ.” We saw that this means to have Christ like behavior.

Colossians 3:12

“Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones, by putting on behavior marked by tenderhearted pity and mercy, pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, and patience. Be gentle and forbearing with one another, readily pardoning each other, even as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also forgive.“

Scripture clearly tells us what we are to do…..not a suggestion but an instruction from the Lord. Put on Christ, and take off our flesh.

Our flesh is referring to ‘our humaness.’ Our human desires. These can be godly desires or ungodly desires.

Is this easy for us to do? No!!!

But we can do it!

Galatians 5:24

“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

We crucify our human desires/flesh by not giving in to them. What you don’t feed will starve and die. When love is great, nothing is too difficult. Jesus loves you so much that He died for you so that you could have eternal life.

Galatians 5: 17

“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.”

Our humaness and the Spirit of God are opposed to each other. Our flesh wants it’s own way. The Spirit wants all that God has planned for us.

God does have a great plan and future for us. It is for us to have fellowship and eternal life with Him. He wants us to grow spiritually in Christ.

His plan to give us a hope and future has never changed. And His plan includes YOU!

Now ….this is what we are to ‘Take off .’

Galatians 5:19-21

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immortality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. “

Scripture is very clear in the above verse. God does not want us doing these things.

God gave us a freewill. We can decide what we want to believe or obey. Regardless of your beliefs; God is Omnipotent … He is all powerful. He is Omniscience…He is all knowing. He is Omnipresent…He is everywhere present.

His will for you is the best plan for your life. Trust Him today. I will be praying for you to make the best decision of your life.

May God bless you and may you sense His presence in your life.

Blessings. Pastor Barbara. 27/23