Provisions

I grew up with a father that loved to go camping. Eventually it was with an RV, but that was primarily to make my mother more comfortable on these excursions. So they would plan the trip, gather the provisions, and head out.

"Provisions" -- interesting word. Notice the root -- "vision." The origin of the word, in fact, comes from the concept of "foresight." And you can see that, right? (Small pun there.) You gather provisions because you have the foresight to know what you will likely need but not have when you need it, so you gather it in advance. "Foresight" -- "provision."

Paul wrote, "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." (Rom 13:14). "Put on Christ," he said. Wear Him like a garment. Be wrapped in Him. When people see you, let them see Him. It's not a new idea. He wrote to the Galatians, "As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Gal 3:27). To the Ephesians he wrote, "Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." (Eph 4:24).

"Christ-like" is a good description. But he adds this next line in his letter to the Romans: "Make no provision for the flesh." This is intended as an addendum -- "and" -- to his "Put on Christ." In addition to -- right along with -- putting on Christ, make no provision for the flesh. Note what he's saying. Remember, "provision" is "foresight." So he's saying, "Don't look ahead and see what you'll need for the flesh to be satisfied. Don't think about gratifying your desires." He doesn't merely say, "Don't gratify your lusts." He says, "Don't even think about them." Our gratification of our lusts is most often accomplished in foresight. So Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matt 5:27-28) There it is again. The intent is the problem before the deed ever occurs. Foresight. Provision. Planning ahead ... for sin.

The context of the Romans passage is that we must "cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." (Rom 13:12). We are to "walk properly" which is in direct contrast to satiating our senses and lusts (Rom 13:13). In short, we must "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." Since the aim of the Christian life is to "be conformed to the image of His Son" (Rom 8:29), putting on Christ is the best idea. Of course, if letting others see Christ in you is our goal, making provision for the flesh is the counter to that aim. Don't even think about it.