(by pastor Jean)

“Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh” (Rom 13:14; NKJV) (See also Gal 3:27). The New Living Translation translates this verse, “Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Either way it speaks of being very close to Jesus. It makes me think of abiding in Christ (see John chapter 15), behaving like Jesus would and doing what He told us to do. It means we need to let the character of Jesus become part of our character (for example, His humility, faith, mercy and love). It also means that we need to focus on godly thoughts (The Bible) (Rom 12:2) and have a desire to please God in everything we say and do. One way of doing this is to say, “no” when our carnal nature wants to rise up and say and do those things which are unholy or not pleasing to God (as we are reminded to do in the second half of Romans 13:14 above). The metaphor of clothing yourself and the same Greek word used in Rom 13:14 is also used in Colossians 3:12 which tells us to clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and forgiveness. These are all qualities found in the character of Jesus, so this very much lines up with Romans 13:14. Finally, in Colossians 3:14 we are told to put on or clothe ourselves with love (Greek, agape, or the God – kind of love); it is only by cooperating with the Holy Spirit that we can do any of this, so ask Him to help you and He will.