Devotion's by Deborah

Devotion 1-15-24, Romans 13:14- "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." In Romans, the Apostle Paul repeats says the same message in many different ways. He hopes that the same message, repeated, will sink into his reader's hearts and they will act on the message. This is a message of God's love for people and God's expectation that we, His children, will love as He loves. Loving others is not easy; therefore, Paul tells us how to do that, too. We are to put on, dress ourselves with, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is to cover us, be what people see, and be what we think. We are to be so covered, clothed by Jesus, that His life, in us, is the controlling factor in our lives. Prior to salvation, we were literally clothed in sin. After salvation, we choose to put on Jesus; we choose Jesus; we choose to think, feel, pray, live Jesus. We will see a difference and so will the world. Each day that we "put on the Lord Jesus Christ," is the day He will be in control and we will not. Each day is a new opportunity for us to live as we are called to live – as children of God. In Colossians, the Apostle Paul gives us more guidance as to what putting on Jesus looks like. Colossians 3:12-13a says, "So as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other..." As we "put on" Jesus, we gain His mind, His thinking, and His thinking may become our thinking. You choose to allow His Holy Spirit, in you, full sway. Is there any place more joyous than being in God's will? Never! Each one of us may have the mind of Christ and live the life of Christ, in us, the hope of glory!