Cast off – Put on
Daily Surrender and Christlike Love
SCRIPTURE:
Romans 13:14 CSB - But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.
OBSERVATION:
In Romans chapter 13, Paul offers practical guidance for Christian living. He begins by calling for submission to governing authorities and payment of taxes—a command that must have been especially difficult for Roman believers. Rome was marked by corruption, oppression, and ungodly leadership. Yet Paul, echoing the words of Jesus, still says: “Obey.”
Jesus said in three of the four Gospels:
"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
As believers, we have a responsibility to live righteously—not only in church settings but also as citizens. That means obeying the law, paying taxes, and showing respect for those in authority—regardless of whether we agree with them.
Paul then shifts his focus to a powerful image: “cast off” and “put on.”
We are to cast off the deeds of the flesh and the darkness of sin. The Christian life involves transformation. We are to be changed, becoming more like Jesus.
Romans 13:14 CSB - But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.
OBSERVATION:
In Romans chapter 13, Paul offers practical guidance for Christian living. He begins by calling for submission to governing authorities and payment of taxes—a command that must have been especially difficult for Roman believers. Rome was marked by corruption, oppression, and ungodly leadership. Yet Paul, echoing the words of Jesus, still says: “Obey.”
Jesus said in three of the four Gospels:
"Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
As believers, we have a responsibility to live righteously—not only in church settings but also as citizens. That means obeying the law, paying taxes, and showing respect for those in authority—regardless of whether we agree with them.
Paul then shifts his focus to a powerful image: “cast off” and “put on.”
We are to cast off the deeds of the flesh and the darkness of sin. The Christian life involves transformation. We are to be changed, becoming more like Jesus.
We must cast off before we can put on. “The rags of sin must come off if we put on the robe of Christ. There must be a taking away of the love of sin; there must be a renouncing of the practices and habits of sin, or else a man cannot be a Christian. It will be an idle attempt to try and wear religion as a sort of celestial overall over the top of old sins. – Charles Spurgeon.
First, we cast off the old—then we put on the new.
To put on Christ means taking on His nature, character, and priorities. The key to this is love.
Romans 13:10 CSB - Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.
To put on Christ means taking on His nature, character, and priorities. The key to this is love.
Romans 13:10 CSB - Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.
We may pay our taxes and be quiet. We may give respect and honor where they are due and have no further obligation. But we can never say, ‘I have done all the loving I need to do.’ Love then is a permanent obligation, a debt impossible to discharge. - Leon Morris.
APPLICATION:
Love your neighbor means to love the people you actually meet with and deal with every day. It is easy for us to love in the theoretical and the abstract, but God demands that we love real people. – David Guzik.
This is what it means to “put on Christ”:
Romans 13:14 CSB – But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.
Putting on Christ isn't a one-time decision—it’s a daily act of surrender, love, and transformation.
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me today to put on Your nature, character, and love. Help me fulfill my duties as a follower of Christ—not out of obligation, but out of worship. May I cast off the old life and walk in the new. Teach me to love my neighbor as myself—not in theory, but in truth. Let my life be marked by love, obedience, and surrender. May I be known as Yours because I have truly put on Jesus Christ.
Romans 13:14 CSB – But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.
Putting on Christ isn't a one-time decision—it’s a daily act of surrender, love, and transformation.
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me today to put on Your nature, character, and love. Help me fulfill my duties as a follower of Christ—not out of obligation, but out of worship. May I cast off the old life and walk in the new. Teach me to love my neighbor as myself—not in theory, but in truth. Let my life be marked by love, obedience, and surrender. May I be known as Yours because I have truly put on Jesus Christ.
Cast off the old life, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and live each day in surrendered love that reflects Him to the world.
Posted in 06 - Romans
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