14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
and make no provision for the flesh,
“Provision” carries the idea of building a platform for sin to do its work. This is to make a plan ahead of time to commit sin. The Greek word for “provision” comes from two words: to think and before. We are to give no forethought to operating in the flesh. The idea is to make provision for the sin capacity to commit a particular sin. It thinks about it beforehand or ahead of time. It is to create a situation whereby we might sin. We foresee an opportunity to sin.
The Christian is to make a clean-cut break with making provision for the lusts of his sin capacity to do its work. It is better to not bite the bait than to fight on the hook.
to fulfill its lusts.
Our “flesh” has an endless appetite that clamors for immediate indulgence. We saw some of these lusts in the previous verse.
PRINCIPLE:
Christians are to avoid building a platform that will make it easy for the sin capacity to fulfill its desires.
APPLICATION:
As believers we should not plan to sin or give it an opportunity to blossom in our lives. We are to deny the sin capacity opportunity to control us.
To clothe ourselves with Christ means we display Him publically. People can see Christ in us. This is no natural probity; rather, it is to penetrate into who and what Jesus is. We position ourselves in Him.
Ga 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Php 1:21, For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
In A. D. 386 Augustine was in Milan in northern Italy. A copy of Paul’s epistles were on the bench next to him. He was struggling spiritually at this time in his life, so he flung himself on the ground in despair. Lying there he heard the voice of a child saying, “Take up and read; take up and read.” He took up his copy of the Pauline epistles and read Romans 13:13-14 that described orgies, drinking bouts, sexual excess and debaucheries, dissension, and envy. Instead of allowing these sins to conquer him, the believer was to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. This passage led to his conversion. He became one of the greatest leaders of the church.
Christians are to live their lives according to their unique destiny and their high station in relation to Christ. We are set apart unto God. Our outward actions are to accord with our regenerate nature.
No degree of temptation justifies any degree of sin. We need to avoid putting ourselves in opportunities to sin. If we do this God will keep us from sin.
