Put on Christ

I have been around enough believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and walking with the Lord long enough to make a couple of observations.  First, many believers do a lot of complaining about how bad things are getting and give no (or very little) thought as to how God desires for them to get in agreement and cooperate with Him to turn things around.  Secondly, many believers have become comfortable with making excuses for sin in their lives.  Now before you disengage and refuse to read the remainder of what I have written in this space, know that if this doesn’t apply to you, then you shouldn’t become offended.  But if it does apply, then be courageous enough to look in the mirror, acknowledge it, repent (change your mind), and receive God’s grace to help you walk in ever-increasing victory from henceforth.

Our Scripture text instructs us to cast off the works of darkness and walk properly.  This means to stop coddling sin as if it were your pet and walk in accordance with the word of God.  Well you may say nobody can do that, everybody has to have some sin in their life.  Well it may be true that everybody has some sin in their life, though I don’t know everybody so I can’t say whether that is the case or not, it certainly is not true that you have to sin.  The Bible instructs us in Romans 6 that we are dead to sin and shouldn’t allow it to have dominion over us.  1 John 2:6 in the Amplified Bible states “Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.”  Wow! This is actually saying that if we say we belong to Jesus then we owe it to Him to live our lives on earth exactly like He lived His life on earth.  You might say but I can’t do that…it’s impossible.  Well if that is your stance you have just called God a liar because He said you can.

Well how did Jesus live His life?  He only did what He saw the Father God do (John 5:19) and only said what He heard the Father God say (John 8:29).  I know you’re thinking well I haven’t seen God.   Be that as it may, you certainly can look at, read, and study His word, the Bible.  God and His word are one.  And if you say you have a relationship with the Lord and you can’t or don’t hear Him speaking to you, then shame on you.  Jesus said my sheep know my voice and the voice of a stranger they will not follow.  Beloved, if you are not hearing Him that’s an indication that you aren’t spending enough time in His presence.

Finally, our Scripture text says to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh.  Essentially, be clothed with Jesus inside and out.  Be completely covered with Him and found in Him.  Allow Him to be your all in all.  Let His light in you shine so brightly that the entire world will see and glorify your Father which is in heaven.  After that, make no provision,  literally give not forethought to how to satisfy the cravings of your flesh, which isn’t just your physical body but it encompasses the sin nature we all received from Adam (Romans 5:12), and the one who has accepted Jesus has been delivered from.  The only way that your deliverance will become a reality is for you to PUT ON CHRIST!

Dear heavenly Father, we are eternally grateful that You are so longsuffering with us and that You delight in mercy. Nevertheless, we ask that you help us not to take You for granted or be presumptuous in any way, at any time. Jesus You boldly proclaimed that Your grace is sufficient for us, and that at our weakest moment we can count on Your strength to be made available to us to give us the victory. Give us an abundant measure of Your grace that we may walk worthy of You Lord. Father, by Your precious Holy Spirit, help us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God bless you beloved. I solicit your prayers. May God Almighty cause His face to shine upon you, bless you, and give you peace.  Until next week….Peace.

McClinton Elliott Porter