Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Here once again we must look at this verse from the standpoint of who Paul is speaking to in order to get a proper understanding. He is speaking to Jews in Rome.

A Jewish perspective would be appearance, to not just look like but to appear to be Christ. They have no righteousness of their own, so putting on Christ is putting on His righteousness. What that means to them because of their long history is vastly different than my own experience. Even our definitions of righteousness differ and that also has to be taken into consideration.

The important part is what follows, which both cultures can and should agree. Our actions, what we do and what we say, dictates who is in charge. Do not give in to ungodly desires. God is making it abundantly clear what is expected of us. We have all gone thru the long list of restriction, the do not list.

Now we are encountering lists that are associated with right action. Righteousness was predicated in not sinning, now it is predicated on doing the right thing because that is who we are and not a commandment.

I can put on a robe and look good. I can take it off and reveal that it was only the robe that mattered. If Christ is in you, you have a new identity, a new character, a new creation, and you cannot take that off. You do however have to discover who you are in Christ. That is where Paul just took us in asking for a transformed mind.

The devil would have you think you are not changed. He will use every influence at his disposal to convince you that Christ is not in you. What we refer to as flesh is perhaps his only opportunity to influence us.

Romans 13:1-2 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

Here is yet another difficult conversation from Paul in which those who do not take the time to know God, His design, His will and His love to once again throw predestination into the forefront. It is all God’s fault according to their understanding, and nothing could be further from the truth.

How about reading these two verses this way in the light of who God is in character.

No matter what your circumstances, God’s love is the only thing that changes them for the better.

Verse 3 states it plainly, they are up to no good. You cannot join them in that behavior, it will change nothing, and you will suffer all the more because of it.

Any comment made by anyone that paints God as anything but a loving, gracious and merciful God needs to be thoroughly examined for error. That kind of thinking feeds Satan’s anti agenda.

Once again, God is love. Nothing should change that thought. God is Holy, Nothing change that thought. God is just. Nothing should change that thought. God is gracious. Nothing should change that thought.

It bears repeating as many times as it takes for us to get that thru our thick skulls.

Once again, God is love. Nothing should change that thought. God is Holy, Nothing change that thought. God is just. Nothing should change that thought. God is gracious. Nothing should change that thought.