But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
To put on the Lord Jesus Christ is to wake from sleep because the night is far spent and the day is at hand, to cast off the works of darkness and walk honestly as in the day, and to live in a way shaped by Christ while making no plans or provision to feed bodily and selfish desires. Putting him on means surrendering without reservation, taking him as personal Saviour by faith as a daily choice, and being joined to him in union so that self is hidden and human powers are united to divine power. To be so clothed is to be covered with his righteousness as a free gift, laying aside old sin-stained garments for the wedding garment and armor of righteousness, without which no one can meet the requirement for the marriage supper of the Lamb. Making no provision for the flesh refuses all gratifying of selfish propensities, pride, sensuality and self-esteem, forbids impurity in thought, talk and deportment, and requires governing appetite and passion by God's will rather than indulging what feeds unholy desire. This is done day by day through watching, praying and earnest effort, seeking him in secret communion and guarding self constantly, until his Spirit gives power against every temptation and his character of tenderness, kindness, meekness and unselfish love is reproduced in separation from the world.
Verse Words and Context
The call is to wake from sleep because salvation is nearer than when belief began, the night is far spent and the day is at hand, to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, and to walk honestly as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ belongs with that waking, casting off, and honest walking, and making no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts is its refusal of sinful conduct. That truth is to elevate, purify, refine and ennoble married men and women and children and youth who claim to believe sacred truth, giving moral power to resist masterly efforts to involve them in impure practices, low and vile thought, common talk and deportment, adultery and wanton iniquity. It calls for self-denial and self-sacrifice with no excess, solidly resisting the little outflows of money and desire that gratify the taste for frivolous things, letting every penny and shilling and pound flow into channels that glorify God, and overcoming evil with good.
To put on means to live in a way shaped by Christ and take on his character and life, abiding in him so as to become tender, kind, simple, and earnest by his Spirit. To make not provision for the flesh means to make no plans, arrangements, or provision to yield to and feed bodily, selfish, and sinful desires. That rules out merely nominal religion and requires purity and holiness in conduct, with servants of God working under his eye and following Christ as pattern, giving the body to God as a holy living sacrifice that pleases him, refusing to copy the ways of the world, and being changed by a renewed mind that learns and proves the good and perfect will of God. It treats licentiousness, earthliness, and sensuality as serious sins rather than matters for leniency. It also forbids ambitious, self-directed plans made without God to gain status or put self first at the expense of loyalty to Christ and his work, calling instead for choices shaped by devotion to Christ even when they require self-denial and sacrifice.
The command is urgent as probation shortens and Christ's coming draws nearer, requiring a life distinct from the world in faithfulness, simplicity, and self-denial with earnest preparation. People stand on the threshold of the eternal world, yet putting on Christ is still possible now because probation continues and time is not yet closed, so everyone can come to Christ, find Christ, put on Christ, rejoice in Christ, and lay up treasure in heaven, certain because Christ promised the believer will do the works that he did. It is a present duty while probation is still granted, requiring coming out from the world and separating from its customs, maxims, and influence, departing from all iniquity and dishonesty and from selfish earthly ambition for place, position, and money-getting, bringing known truth into the inner sanctuary of the soul to be sanctified by it and living the divine life opposed to the world, to be obeyed at whatever cost or humiliation in order to inherit eternal life.
Putting on Christ and making no provision for the flesh is how love fulfills the law, requiring great reforms made in the love of Christ. The verse is among Paul's teachings used to present health reform and temperance in a way that educates the mind and awakens moral sensibility, with each person individually accountable to follow Bible teaching, without making articles of diet a test of faith. Romans 13:8-14 presents health reform in an intelligent manner that educates the intellect and arouses the moral sensibility to take hold of temperance. The temperance and purity it requires are part of the qualifications essential in deacons and equally essential in elders of the church.
Putting On Christ
Putting on Christ means surrendering to God and taking Christ as personal Saviour by faith, giving self to Him without reservation or compromise and letting Him enter the heart and take possession as a daily choice that is never to be neglected for a day. The Lord accepts no compromise with indulgence of selfish human nature, so putting Him on allows no room for fleshly desires. As believers hold to Him as their own they can present Him to others so that people are drawn to Him for pardon, purity, and eternal life.
In Him the believer finds wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, with all efficiency and all reward found in Christ alone. A person cannot atone for personal sin, but through faith the soul is purified and Christ's righteousness, which is from God by faith, is revealed in the life. Being clothed with Christ is being clothed with His righteousness, casting away old sin-stained garments of character to put on the wedding garment and heaven's livery. It is laying aside citizen's dress and putting on the robe woven in heaven's loom and prepared at infinite cost as a free gift, and putting on the armor of righteousness to conduct warfare at Christ's charges and at His expense under His bloodstained banner. Without this clothing a person is none of His and, trying to be present in one's own dress, fails to meet the requirement to sit at the table as friends of Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Putting Him on in this open, brave, decided way exhibits Christ and manifests His character, expecting little from finite man and keeping looking unto Jesus until ravished with the perfection of His character, with every thought brought into captivity to obedience.
Putting on Christ is done day by day through watching, praying, and earnest effort in the right direction, so as to be thoroughly filled with His Spirit. It means seeking Him in the closet in secret communion, laying hold by faith on His might, putting away self-confidence, making peace with Him, disciplining self and constantly guarding self lest advantage be gained, and standing firm as a rock to principle. It requires watching and praying without ceasing and believing the prayer is accepted by God, not praying only in a special season or week of prayer and then stopping but continuing to ask in order to receive. Those who do this find Christ close beside them, ready to shield, help and bless, leading the current of thoughts away from cheap, frivolous things and opening subjects whose contemplation brings His peace, joy and consolation and takes away worries, teaching them not to wear out their powers bearing responsibilities that belong to God but to keep the soul in calmness and peace.
He then supplies all-sufficient divine assistance for every temptation that assails the soul. He gives the Holy Spirit to help infirmities, assure hope, and purify the heart, and He becomes wisdom and sanctification and righteousness and redemption and a strong helper, requiring confession of sins to God and to those injured where the confession will not be misused. The Spirit works to will and to do God's good pleasure, keeping the mind stayed upon Christ so that thoughts and impulses become spiritual, governing self, building a pure character, and enabling following His leadings with tenderness and love. When a person is willing to follow on to know the Lord, walking in humility before Him and being taught by Him daily in meekness and lowliness so He can lead, the Holy Spirit works through that person, giving power to represent and show the world a better way. Its outcome is continual advancement in knowledge and understanding that makes an impression on the world, so that many take knowledge that believers have been with Christ, because their lives are conformed to the truth and reveal the Saviour's character and do the work He did.
Putting on Christ is union with Him, yoking up with Him, abiding in Him, and clothing human nature with Him by conforming to the principles of truth and beholding Him until imbued with truth. It is having His presence abiding continually, laying all burdens on Him as the great Burden Bearer, longing after God, wanting to breathe a pure and holy atmosphere, trusting in Jesus, and beholding Him with the eye of faith as precious. It means leaving self out and having the mind that was in Christ Jesus, a life rebuilt and reconstructed upon principles of faith that go farther than sight, where the life is hid with Christ in God and self is hidden. This brings every human power into union with divine power and connects it to His life-giving power, conveying circulating vitality of pure, sanctified, Christlike love through every part of human nature as a free inheritance of grace, to be diffused in character so that light can shine and the Father loves that soul as part of Christ, as a member of the body with Christ as glorious head.
Refusing Provision for Flesh
Making no provision for the flesh means refusing to gratify selfish propensities, passionate lusts, pride, sensuality, selfish ambition, personal tastes and ideas, and self-esteem. Licentiousness, earthliness, and sensuality are to be treated as serious sins, not as matters for leniency. There is to be no compromise with indulgence of selfish human nature.
Planning life around taking care of self is forbidden, with conscience and God kept in every question by one who lives as a sincere Christian. Ambitious, self-directed plans made without God, especially to gain status or to put self first at the expense of loyalty to Christ and His work, are a form of making provision for the flesh. Such scheming that leaves conscience and God out must be refused in favor of choices shaped by devotion to Christ even when they require self-denial and sacrifice.
Impurity in thought, talk, and deportment is forbidden, including rioting and drunkenness, chambering and wantonness, adultery and wanton iniquity, low and vile thought, common talk, and impure practices. Self-abuse is a gratifying of the flesh opposed to following Christ, whose servants are to direct work, thoughts, and pleasures toward better things. Improper attention to women, flirtation, coquetry, undue familiarity, and all common, cheap, earthly, sensual words, deportment, and corrupting imaginings must be ceased, with the soul kept with diligence unstained from moral pollution and the conversation in heaven.
Even evil traits cherished as precious as the right hand or the right eye must be separated from the person. Retaining imperfections of character and gratifying self leaves long service without growing in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus. One who retains them is unacceptable before God and cannot represent the religion of Jesus.
Refusing provision for the flesh requires self-denial and self-sacrifice with no excess, governing appetite and passion by God's revealed will. Habits are to be cleansed as light is received, wrong appetites resisted, and God honored through the body rather than indulgence feeding the flesh. Making an idol of food is such indulgence. The taste for frivolous things and useless ornaments is to be firmly resisted, every idol and cherished pleasure that diverts the mind from God severed, evil overcome with good, and every penny directed away from needless display made to flow into channels that glorify God, relieve suffering, help people in need, and advance His work.
Christlike Character and Separation
Putting on Christ means taking on his qualities of character and representing him in every word and action. It reflects his warmth, tenderness, sympathy, kindness, and readiness to help, with unselfish interest toward others and rejection of unholy thoughts and feelings, harshness, selfishness, desire to rule, and all that defiles. This is done in union with him through humble daily learning from him, with the Holy Spirit giving power to show the world a better way. For young workers it calls for being filled with a missionary spirit to serve wherever God leads, in work suited to abilities that can reach neglected people, while refusing room for selfish or sinful desires. Coldness, lack of sympathy, self-centered harshness, coarseness in words and spirit, and failure to help those in need dishonor Christ, show loss of first love, prove he does not abide in the heart, and reveal disobedience rather than feeling for others' infirmities, and only those converted and transformed in this way will be ready to meet the Lord at his coming and enter the kingdom, while those remaining without Christian love will be unready and have their candlestick removed.
It is expressed in meekness and lowliness of mind learned from him, an inward adornment that beautifies the soul, is more valuable than gold, pearls, or costly outward dress, and joins finite people to God. Outward adornment beautifies only the mortal body, while this meekness adorns the soul, and those who wear it with the Redeemer's meekness are counted as truly well adorned. Dying to self and being so clothed in spirit, word, and character overcomes hereditary and cultivated evil tendencies, especially criticizing and accusing brethren and finding fault with God's messengers. The tongue is then given its highest employment in communicating the knowledge of God by precept and example, and those who thus improve time and powers become like Christ, with names written in the book of life as sons of God and heirs of heaven, covered with a robe of righteousness and counted worthy to walk with Christ in white.
It means dying to the world and becoming separate and distinct from it like the Master, coming out from the world and staying separate from its spirit, customs, fashions, maxims, and influence. It refuses to copy the world's ways, lays aside pride and display such as ribbons, laces, and collars, refuses to imitate its pride, stands in moral independence, and is changed by a renewed mind that gives the body to God as a holy living sacrifice and learns and proves his good and perfect will. Glorifying God and gaining the immortal inheritance becomes the ruling object, unmoved by the laugh, jeer, and scorn of unbelievers, requiring faithfulness, simplicity, and self-denial in earnest preparation as probation shortens and Christ's coming draws nearer. Cherishing a desire to imitate worldly fashions without immediately subduing it separates from God and leaves one a child of the world and darkness unacknowledged by him, for to profess Christ while living like the world proves strangeness to grace and to the meek and lowly Jesus, since true acquaintance with him produces a walk worthy of him. It is an inward possessing of Christ rather than wearing his religion as an outward cloak, having the law written on the heart and graven on the soul by the Spirit so truth sanctifies the inner temple, removes selfish ideas and plans for lifting up self and tearing down others, turns from idols and all iniquity and dishonesty and selfish earthly ambition for place, position, and money-getting, clears the clouded moral sense, and keeps the soul unstained, to be obeyed at whatever cost or humiliation in order to inherit eternal life while probation is still granted.
It disrobes the sinful nature, casting off the old man and his deeds and putting on the new man, which is Jesus Christ. Putting him on in his holiness and loveliness reforms the nature, renews in the image of God and the likeness of Jesus, raises the standard high and never thinks it too high in order to be ready for the city he is preparing, and puts a new song of praise to God on the lips, calling for dropping every word of stubbornness and strife and confusion because no good can be done while in them. It is to be taught to those who are filthy, ignorant, and depraved to bring them out of darkness into light, to teach belief in Christ as personal Saviour, to plant elevating, ennobling thoughts of heavenly things in darkened minds, and by faith and Christlike sympathy and example to lead the polluted into pure and holy lives. This transformation from slavery to sin and Satan by his love and grace before a fallen world is a miracle that convinces people God sent his Son. Unless his Spirit dwells within and makes one with him, a person remains a slave to sin and Satan, retaining passions, prejudice, and other evil traits.
Those truly transformed do not despise anyone he bought with his blood. His Spirit removes selfishness and prejudice, so those who abide in him cannot despise people he redeemed. Putting on his character and spirit calls for serving people in need and bearing reproach for his sake, including working to rescue and restore those treated as degraded or hopeless. His spirit does not give up on them, for through the Holy Spirit and divine grace the enslaved to sin can be freed, ignorance overcome, minds awakened, and hearts purified by faith that works through love, with sympathy for the neglected, oppressed, and despised while having no sympathy with degradation.
Putting on Christ makes love perfect and ends harassing self-condemnation, because the person is a sinner saved by his blood. It expels all low, selfish motives and turns life to seeking how best to glorify him, ceasing to do evil and learning to do well as a student in his school, entering upon his life and practicing his virtues, with the taint of worldly maxims no longer corrupting thoughts or woven into character, and with gratitude, love, and loyalty as the motives that must dwell richly in every final overcomer with Jesus as the model. It means receiving the mold from Christ rather than conforming reason, affections, speech, habits, and practices to national customs, copying his Spirit and example until his character is reproduced and his tenderness, courtesy, love, and solicitude for souls are manifest, with life hid with Christ in God, giving the same kind of drawing influence that led the believer into truth and making him a laborer together with God who lifts up Christ and draws souls by imparted grace. Holding office as ruler or teacher in the visible church does not prove Christ has been put on, but knowing and loving God and Christ, doing what is just, loving mercy, walking humbly before God, guarding one another's interests, being true and faithful, as frank and open as the day, and refusing to defraud give evidence of true religion and a sanctified heart, life, and character as channels through which God's grace flows, which no one enjoys without repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ.
This knowledge of God and Jesus expressed in character is the highest education and the key that opens the heavenly city, and it is God's purpose for all who put on Christ.
Faithful Service and Ministry
For shepherds, ministers, missionaries, and all in responsible positions, putting on Christ means taking Him as personal Saviour and finding in Him wisdom, sanctification, and redemption, with unreserved dedication to the work without reservation and no compromise with indulgence of selfish human nature. All efficiency and all reward are found in Christ alone, and giving full proof of ministry and growing in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus belong to this clothing. Unless the worker obeys it he cannot represent the religion of Jesus, lowers the standard, brings reproach on the cause, stands under eternal responsibility in the judgment, and preaches and labors in vain. Making no provision for the flesh for such a worker is refusing to gratify selfish propensities, passionate lusts, tastes and ideas, pride, sensuality, selfish ambition, plans, and self-esteem, and doing only what agrees with personal tastes is of the flesh. Long service without growing in grace comes from this self-gratification, and even evil traits cherished as precious as the right hand or right eye must be separated from the worker or he cannot be acceptable before God.
Lowering the standard by accepting and retaining workers who persist in imperfections of character brings reproach, so candidates must give full proof and be thoroughly examined as to consecration, character, qualifications, and fitness before hands are laid on them for ordination. That examination must come first rather than enduring rigid examination after they are established and have stamped their mould upon the work. Putting on Christ means being thoroughly imbued with the missionary spirit and the spirit of the message, working unselfishly in any capacity without depending on salary or on complicated machinery and mere sermonizing. Young men especially are to go where God leads in the line best suited to talents and best adapted to reach classes hitherto sadly neglected, to do good, lift the discouraged, and enlighten those in error, giving up time for amusements for earnest missionary work. This kind of labor develops intellectual and moral power and adaptability for the work, while making no provision for the flesh means laying aside selfishness and fleshly lusts and refusing to serve self.
Sabbath-school workers meet the standard of Christ instead of the standard of the world by clothing life and character with Christ and refusing any arrangement for satisfying fleshly desire. That means standing in moral independence, coming out from the world and staying separate from its spirit, customs, practices, and fashions, holding steadfast oneness with Christ and unyielding fidelity to God against pride, indulgence in selfish amusement, spending means to gratify inclination, and love of display. They become an example in spirit, deportment, and dress that shows what Christ's religion has done, cultivating His tenderness in persuasion and earnestness in exhortation and living out exalted principles of truth while lifting the cross to follow Jesus. This is accomplished by the gift of the Spirit of God working in superintendent and teacher to will and to do God's good pleasure, keeping the mind stayed upon Christ so thoughts and impulses become spiritual, and enabling them with tenderness and love to draw children and youth to give their hearts to God.
For canvassers and sellers of books on present truth, putting on Christ means surrendering to God, personally accepting Christ by faith as Saviour, and making God the trust every moment, relying on Him as protection against temptation. It requires disciplining self and constantly guarding self with watchfulness lest Satan obtain advantage, standing firm as a rock to principle against a multitude of petty temptations that test integrity and strength of religious principles and habits, since even a small lapse can lead into a course of sin. Obeying it belongs to the highest moral duties and is the very best preparation for the ministry, voiced in the sincere cry from the soul to hear the Lord speak. As Christ is presented as wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, people are drawn to Him for pardon, purity, and eternal life.
Workers must put away self-esteem, self-importance, self-confidence, fretting over self, jealousy, and evil surmising and suspicion, never making self an object of pride, devotion, or idolatry. Putting on Christ is living in Christ with Christ living within, seeking Him in the closet in secret communion, laying hold by faith on His might, making peace with Him, losing sight of self by beholding Christ, and being changed from glory to glory from character to character while rejoicing in His redeeming love and walking in the light of the Sun of Righteousness. True greatness depends on humility, walking humbly with God and bearing in humility whatever honor God gives without exalting self or demeaning brethren, for exalting self shows the Spirit departing and leaves a person to his own wisdom. Putting on Christ governs the manner of working, requiring labor after God's order and not according to man's devising, working as Christ worked and following Him closely with the self-seeking spirit in subjection, all working harmoniously together in oneness, meeting people where they can be reached in synagogues, from place to place, in homes, at the seaside, and in the highways and byways, preaching the word and practicing the word to win souls. Young people preparing for service who put away self-importance are drawn into humble, wholehearted service, willing to bear burdens and face difficulties as His followers.
Daily Life and Reform
Putting on Christ dedicates life to His service and turns away from health-destroying indulgences that feed sinful desires and hinder godliness, supporting growth in grace and sanctification of body, soul, and spirit. It means bringing the fullness of Christ into the life by meeting the condition laid down in the Word and making no provision for indulging the flesh, including refusing to make an idol of food and refusing to yield to wrong appetites instead of honoring God through the body. It keeps the body as God's temple free from defilement, cleansing from all filthiness of flesh and spirit and perfecting holiness in the fear of God, walking honestly not in rioting and drunkenness, not in sexual impurity and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Abuse of the body-temple destroys physical and mental powers and brings suffering and misery, while understanding and obeying this teaching brings wonderful reforms and decided changes so that those seeking Christian character present themselves to God holy and blameless without spot or wrinkle. In sanitarium work this requires standing on the elevated platform of health reform, refusing to serve flesh meat to gain patronage, refusing to give the sick what made them sick and will keep them sick, refusing to employ physicians or nurses unwilling to walk in the full light of health reform, and refusing to operate institutions where perverted appetite can be indulged.
It severs every idol and cherished pleasure that diverts the mind from God, calling for self-denial and self-sacrifice with no excess. It firmly resists the taste for frivolous things and useless ornaments, solidly resisting the little outflows of money and desire that gratify such taste. It overcomes evil with good and lets every penny and shilling and pound flow into channels that glorify God rather than into self-gratification. Money thus directed away from needless display relieves suffering, helps people in need, and advances His work.
Students and youth put on Christ by seeking His Spirit and being imbued with His Spirit and living under His influence day by day. Watching, praying, and earnest effort in the right direction help them resist youthful lusts and manifold temptations and use the time of opportunity well instead of wasting it. They maintain dignity through trial and during the brief season of testing by relying on God's strength and refusing to feed youthful buoyancy and lust. Doing this brings physical, mental, and moral powers into harmony and cooperation under God's discipline, develops intellectual and moral power and God-given faculties to the fullest, makes one a co-worker with the highest heavenly agencies, and brings joy to angels and to God. This includes being determined to practice temperance and working with Him to help those in need and save the world, using abilities in God's service rather than arranging life around selfish pursuits and desires of the flesh.
It calls for speech fitting in Christ's presence, without words that stir up strife or encourage sin, and when sinful or wicked talk cannot otherwise be stopped the person should remain silent or leave, helping turn others toward love and good works. Followers avoid words that cause hurt and disunion and instead show meekness and kindness, being Christlike in every word and action and living the Christ-life by sharing in the divine nature. Dying to self and learning His meekness and lowliness overcomes hereditary and cultivated evil tendencies, especially criticizing and accusing brethren and finding fault, and gives the tongue its highest employment in communicating the knowledge of God by precept and example. When vindicating the truth self is kept out of sight upon the eternal Word of truth, with no boast of knowledge, no reference to sly thrusts, no spirit of retaliation, and with the gentleness, meekness, courtesy, and calmness of Christ preserved under provocation. Zeal is controlled by the Holy Spirit lest it quicken into impatience and hasty feelings and hasty words when Scriptures are wrested and fables presented as truth, since those who have the truth have power only as they present the truth as it is in Jesus, and a gentle spirit under provocation preserves the dignity and elevated, ennobling character of the truth.
It is a life of obedience and service that uses every faculty in persevering, demanding labor in His service rather than leading to feebleness and inactivity, self-love and self-pleasing, or a life of freedom and idleness. It lays aside all pride and self-love to heartily obey God's word, trust Christ fully, submit without reserve, and follow wherever He goes, bringing sympathy, tenderness, compassion, and unselfish love into labor so souls are reconciled to God. It earnestly conforms to God's will with fixed purpose and full use of energies in pursuit of holiness, not indifference, lukewarmness, or self-satisfaction, recognizing duty toward God and neighbor in the strong links the law has defined. Like the soldier whose courage rises as he puts on his uniform, putting on Christ brings strong human passions under God's control and makes a person virtuous and pure and holy, which comes only by most earnest and continual seeking. This makes the Christian a partner with Christ as a positive power to counter-work Satan's deceiving power, reaching men and women where they are and educating the trembling sinner to look to Jesus and live, so minds in moral darkness develop into redeemed workers who win other souls, for a working church is a living church.
It requires looking constantly to Jesus for orders as a servant looks to a master, standing ready to go wheresoever providence leads, taking no glory, and regarding learning, talents, property, and possessions not as one's own but as entrusted stewardships of His grace for service. Those who live in such sincere, wholehearted allegiance reflect Christ and are messengers bringing light amid darkness, with hearts throbbing in unison with His great heart. It remains watchful in prayer and takes on His character and ways in tender sympathy, kindness, and love toward those who have strayed from the truth.
It is thorough conversion by putting on Christ every day with no day of neglect, never laying Him off again to return to half-heartedness, through total surrender with no reservation, no compromise, and no smallest place yielded to worldly policy. It stamps mind and character and molds and refines the features and whole character with the heavenly and divine, being sanctified every hour through belief of the truth with Christ formed within as the hope of glory rather than by extra outward efforts. It redeems time from seen and temporal things to meditate on unseen and eternal things, communing in the closet, laying hold by faith on His might, and making peace with Him, resisting an encroaching world that would separate from the source of strength. It changes a hesitant, undecided attitude to Caleb-like confidence to speak and testify and possess the promised land, and grows in experimental knowledge of grace with continually increasing faith to receive in order to impart. Those thus converted come into right relation with God, show it in the countenance, live as true missionaries, and dwell in unity as on the day of Pentecost, taking a stand on higher ground and moving onward and upward. Nothing else will carry through the closing scenes of earth's history, and only this gives victory and the unfading crown of life to those pressing toward the mark of the prize.
To put on the Lord Jesus Christ is to wake from sleep because the night is far spent and the day is at hand, to cast off the works of darkness and walk honestly as in the day, and to live in a way shaped by Christ while making no plans or provision to feed bodily and selfish desires. Putting him on means surrendering without reservation, taking him as personal Saviour by faith as a daily choice, and being joined to him in union so that self is hidden and human powers are united to divine power. To be so clothed is to be covered with his righteousness as a free gift, laying aside old sin-stained garments for the wedding garment and armor of righteousness, without which no one can meet the requirement for the marriage supper of the Lamb. Making no provision for the flesh refuses all gratifying of selfish propensities, pride, sensuality and self-esteem, forbids impurity in thought, talk and deportment, and requires governing appetite and passion by God's will rather than indulging what feeds unholy desire. This is done day by day through watching, praying and earnest effort, seeking him in secret communion and guarding self constantly, until his Spirit gives power against every temptation and his character of tenderness, kindness, meekness and unselfish love is reproduced in separation from the world.
Verse Words and Context
The call is to wake from sleep because salvation is nearer than when belief began, the night is far spent and the day is at hand, to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light, and to walk honestly as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ belongs with that waking, casting off, and honest walking, and making no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts is its refusal of sinful conduct. That truth is to elevate, purify, refine and ennoble married men and women and children and youth who claim to believe sacred truth, giving moral power to resist masterly efforts to involve them in impure practices, low and vile thought, common talk and deportment, adultery and wanton iniquity. It calls for self-denial and self-sacrifice with no excess, solidly resisting the little outflows of money and desire that gratify the taste for frivolous things, letting every penny and shilling and pound flow into channels that glorify God, and overcoming evil with good.
To put on means to live in a way shaped by Christ and take on his character and life, abiding in him so as to become tender, kind, simple, and earnest by his Spirit. To make not provision for the flesh means to make no plans, arrangements, or provision to yield to and feed bodily, selfish, and sinful desires. That rules out merely nominal religion and requires purity and holiness in conduct, with servants of God working under his eye and following Christ as pattern, giving the body to God as a holy living sacrifice that pleases him, refusing to copy the ways of the world, and being changed by a renewed mind that learns and proves the good and perfect will of God. It treats licentiousness, earthliness, and sensuality as serious sins rather than matters for leniency. It also forbids ambitious, self-directed plans made without God to gain status or put self first at the expense of loyalty to Christ and his work, calling instead for choices shaped by devotion to Christ even when they require self-denial and sacrifice.
The command is urgent as probation shortens and Christ's coming draws nearer, requiring a life distinct from the world in faithfulness, simplicity, and self-denial with earnest preparation. People stand on the threshold of the eternal world, yet putting on Christ is still possible now because probation continues and time is not yet closed, so everyone can come to Christ, find Christ, put on Christ, rejoice in Christ, and lay up treasure in heaven, certain because Christ promised the believer will do the works that he did. It is a present duty while probation is still granted, requiring coming out from the world and separating from its customs, maxims, and influence, departing from all iniquity and dishonesty and from selfish earthly ambition for place, position, and money-getting, bringing known truth into the inner sanctuary of the soul to be sanctified by it and living the divine life opposed to the world, to be obeyed at whatever cost or humiliation in order to inherit eternal life.
Putting on Christ and making no provision for the flesh is how love fulfills the law, requiring great reforms made in the love of Christ. The verse is among Paul's teachings used to present health reform and temperance in a way that educates the mind and awakens moral sensibility, with each person individually accountable to follow Bible teaching, without making articles of diet a test of faith. Romans 13:8-14 presents health reform in an intelligent manner that educates the intellect and arouses the moral sensibility to take hold of temperance. The temperance and purity it requires are part of the qualifications essential in deacons and equally essential in elders of the church.
Putting On Christ
Putting on Christ means surrendering to God and taking Christ as personal Saviour by faith, giving self to Him without reservation or compromise and letting Him enter the heart and take possession as a daily choice that is never to be neglected for a day. The Lord accepts no compromise with indulgence of selfish human nature, so putting Him on allows no room for fleshly desires. As believers hold to Him as their own they can present Him to others so that people are drawn to Him for pardon, purity, and eternal life.
In Him the believer finds wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, with all efficiency and all reward found in Christ alone. A person cannot atone for personal sin, but through faith the soul is purified and Christ's righteousness, which is from God by faith, is revealed in the life. Being clothed with Christ is being clothed with His righteousness, casting away old sin-stained garments of character to put on the wedding garment and heaven's livery. It is laying aside citizen's dress and putting on the robe woven in heaven's loom and prepared at infinite cost as a free gift, and putting on the armor of righteousness to conduct warfare at Christ's charges and at His expense under His bloodstained banner. Without this clothing a person is none of His and, trying to be present in one's own dress, fails to meet the requirement to sit at the table as friends of Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Putting Him on in this open, brave, decided way exhibits Christ and manifests His character, expecting little from finite man and keeping looking unto Jesus until ravished with the perfection of His character, with every thought brought into captivity to obedience.
Putting on Christ is done day by day through watching, praying, and earnest effort in the right direction, so as to be thoroughly filled with His Spirit. It means seeking Him in the closet in secret communion, laying hold by faith on His might, putting away self-confidence, making peace with Him, disciplining self and constantly guarding self lest advantage be gained, and standing firm as a rock to principle. It requires watching and praying without ceasing and believing the prayer is accepted by God, not praying only in a special season or week of prayer and then stopping but continuing to ask in order to receive. Those who do this find Christ close beside them, ready to shield, help and bless, leading the current of thoughts away from cheap, frivolous things and opening subjects whose contemplation brings His peace, joy and consolation and takes away worries, teaching them not to wear out their powers bearing responsibilities that belong to God but to keep the soul in calmness and peace.
He then supplies all-sufficient divine assistance for every temptation that assails the soul. He gives the Holy Spirit to help infirmities, assure hope, and purify the heart, and He becomes wisdom and sanctification and righteousness and redemption and a strong helper, requiring confession of sins to God and to those injured where the confession will not be misused. The Spirit works to will and to do God's good pleasure, keeping the mind stayed upon Christ so that thoughts and impulses become spiritual, governing self, building a pure character, and enabling following His leadings with tenderness and love. When a person is willing to follow on to know the Lord, walking in humility before Him and being taught by Him daily in meekness and lowliness so He can lead, the Holy Spirit works through that person, giving power to represent and show the world a better way. Its outcome is continual advancement in knowledge and understanding that makes an impression on the world, so that many take knowledge that believers have been with Christ, because their lives are conformed to the truth and reveal the Saviour's character and do the work He did.
Putting on Christ is union with Him, yoking up with Him, abiding in Him, and clothing human nature with Him by conforming to the principles of truth and beholding Him until imbued with truth. It is having His presence abiding continually, laying all burdens on Him as the great Burden Bearer, longing after God, wanting to breathe a pure and holy atmosphere, trusting in Jesus, and beholding Him with the eye of faith as precious. It means leaving self out and having the mind that was in Christ Jesus, a life rebuilt and reconstructed upon principles of faith that go farther than sight, where the life is hid with Christ in God and self is hidden. This brings every human power into union with divine power and connects it to His life-giving power, conveying circulating vitality of pure, sanctified, Christlike love through every part of human nature as a free inheritance of grace, to be diffused in character so that light can shine and the Father loves that soul as part of Christ, as a member of the body with Christ as glorious head.
Refusing Provision for Flesh
Making no provision for the flesh means refusing to gratify selfish propensities, passionate lusts, pride, sensuality, selfish ambition, personal tastes and ideas, and self-esteem. Licentiousness, earthliness, and sensuality are to be treated as serious sins, not as matters for leniency. There is to be no compromise with indulgence of selfish human nature.
Planning life around taking care of self is forbidden, with conscience and God kept in every question by one who lives as a sincere Christian. Ambitious, self-directed plans made without God, especially to gain status or to put self first at the expense of loyalty to Christ and His work, are a form of making provision for the flesh. Such scheming that leaves conscience and God out must be refused in favor of choices shaped by devotion to Christ even when they require self-denial and sacrifice.
Impurity in thought, talk, and deportment is forbidden, including rioting and drunkenness, chambering and wantonness, adultery and wanton iniquity, low and vile thought, common talk, and impure practices. Self-abuse is a gratifying of the flesh opposed to following Christ, whose servants are to direct work, thoughts, and pleasures toward better things. Improper attention to women, flirtation, coquetry, undue familiarity, and all common, cheap, earthly, sensual words, deportment, and corrupting imaginings must be ceased, with the soul kept with diligence unstained from moral pollution and the conversation in heaven.
Even evil traits cherished as precious as the right hand or the right eye must be separated from the person. Retaining imperfections of character and gratifying self leaves long service without growing in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus. One who retains them is unacceptable before God and cannot represent the religion of Jesus.
Refusing provision for the flesh requires self-denial and self-sacrifice with no excess, governing appetite and passion by God's revealed will. Habits are to be cleansed as light is received, wrong appetites resisted, and God honored through the body rather than indulgence feeding the flesh. Making an idol of food is such indulgence. The taste for frivolous things and useless ornaments is to be firmly resisted, every idol and cherished pleasure that diverts the mind from God severed, evil overcome with good, and every penny directed away from needless display made to flow into channels that glorify God, relieve suffering, help people in need, and advance His work.
Christlike Character and Separation
Putting on Christ means taking on his qualities of character and representing him in every word and action. It reflects his warmth, tenderness, sympathy, kindness, and readiness to help, with unselfish interest toward others and rejection of unholy thoughts and feelings, harshness, selfishness, desire to rule, and all that defiles. This is done in union with him through humble daily learning from him, with the Holy Spirit giving power to show the world a better way. For young workers it calls for being filled with a missionary spirit to serve wherever God leads, in work suited to abilities that can reach neglected people, while refusing room for selfish or sinful desires. Coldness, lack of sympathy, self-centered harshness, coarseness in words and spirit, and failure to help those in need dishonor Christ, show loss of first love, prove he does not abide in the heart, and reveal disobedience rather than feeling for others' infirmities, and only those converted and transformed in this way will be ready to meet the Lord at his coming and enter the kingdom, while those remaining without Christian love will be unready and have their candlestick removed.
It is expressed in meekness and lowliness of mind learned from him, an inward adornment that beautifies the soul, is more valuable than gold, pearls, or costly outward dress, and joins finite people to God. Outward adornment beautifies only the mortal body, while this meekness adorns the soul, and those who wear it with the Redeemer's meekness are counted as truly well adorned. Dying to self and being so clothed in spirit, word, and character overcomes hereditary and cultivated evil tendencies, especially criticizing and accusing brethren and finding fault with God's messengers. The tongue is then given its highest employment in communicating the knowledge of God by precept and example, and those who thus improve time and powers become like Christ, with names written in the book of life as sons of God and heirs of heaven, covered with a robe of righteousness and counted worthy to walk with Christ in white.
It means dying to the world and becoming separate and distinct from it like the Master, coming out from the world and staying separate from its spirit, customs, fashions, maxims, and influence. It refuses to copy the world's ways, lays aside pride and display such as ribbons, laces, and collars, refuses to imitate its pride, stands in moral independence, and is changed by a renewed mind that gives the body to God as a holy living sacrifice and learns and proves his good and perfect will. Glorifying God and gaining the immortal inheritance becomes the ruling object, unmoved by the laugh, jeer, and scorn of unbelievers, requiring faithfulness, simplicity, and self-denial in earnest preparation as probation shortens and Christ's coming draws nearer. Cherishing a desire to imitate worldly fashions without immediately subduing it separates from God and leaves one a child of the world and darkness unacknowledged by him, for to profess Christ while living like the world proves strangeness to grace and to the meek and lowly Jesus, since true acquaintance with him produces a walk worthy of him. It is an inward possessing of Christ rather than wearing his religion as an outward cloak, having the law written on the heart and graven on the soul by the Spirit so truth sanctifies the inner temple, removes selfish ideas and plans for lifting up self and tearing down others, turns from idols and all iniquity and dishonesty and selfish earthly ambition for place, position, and money-getting, clears the clouded moral sense, and keeps the soul unstained, to be obeyed at whatever cost or humiliation in order to inherit eternal life while probation is still granted.
It disrobes the sinful nature, casting off the old man and his deeds and putting on the new man, which is Jesus Christ. Putting him on in his holiness and loveliness reforms the nature, renews in the image of God and the likeness of Jesus, raises the standard high and never thinks it too high in order to be ready for the city he is preparing, and puts a new song of praise to God on the lips, calling for dropping every word of stubbornness and strife and confusion because no good can be done while in them. It is to be taught to those who are filthy, ignorant, and depraved to bring them out of darkness into light, to teach belief in Christ as personal Saviour, to plant elevating, ennobling thoughts of heavenly things in darkened minds, and by faith and Christlike sympathy and example to lead the polluted into pure and holy lives. This transformation from slavery to sin and Satan by his love and grace before a fallen world is a miracle that convinces people God sent his Son. Unless his Spirit dwells within and makes one with him, a person remains a slave to sin and Satan, retaining passions, prejudice, and other evil traits.
Those truly transformed do not despise anyone he bought with his blood. His Spirit removes selfishness and prejudice, so those who abide in him cannot despise people he redeemed. Putting on his character and spirit calls for serving people in need and bearing reproach for his sake, including working to rescue and restore those treated as degraded or hopeless. His spirit does not give up on them, for through the Holy Spirit and divine grace the enslaved to sin can be freed, ignorance overcome, minds awakened, and hearts purified by faith that works through love, with sympathy for the neglected, oppressed, and despised while having no sympathy with degradation.
Putting on Christ makes love perfect and ends harassing self-condemnation, because the person is a sinner saved by his blood. It expels all low, selfish motives and turns life to seeking how best to glorify him, ceasing to do evil and learning to do well as a student in his school, entering upon his life and practicing his virtues, with the taint of worldly maxims no longer corrupting thoughts or woven into character, and with gratitude, love, and loyalty as the motives that must dwell richly in every final overcomer with Jesus as the model. It means receiving the mold from Christ rather than conforming reason, affections, speech, habits, and practices to national customs, copying his Spirit and example until his character is reproduced and his tenderness, courtesy, love, and solicitude for souls are manifest, with life hid with Christ in God, giving the same kind of drawing influence that led the believer into truth and making him a laborer together with God who lifts up Christ and draws souls by imparted grace. Holding office as ruler or teacher in the visible church does not prove Christ has been put on, but knowing and loving God and Christ, doing what is just, loving mercy, walking humbly before God, guarding one another's interests, being true and faithful, as frank and open as the day, and refusing to defraud give evidence of true religion and a sanctified heart, life, and character as channels through which God's grace flows, which no one enjoys without repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ.
This knowledge of God and Jesus expressed in character is the highest education and the key that opens the heavenly city, and it is God's purpose for all who put on Christ.
Faithful Service and Ministry
For shepherds, ministers, missionaries, and all in responsible positions, putting on Christ means taking Him as personal Saviour and finding in Him wisdom, sanctification, and redemption, with unreserved dedication to the work without reservation and no compromise with indulgence of selfish human nature. All efficiency and all reward are found in Christ alone, and giving full proof of ministry and growing in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus belong to this clothing. Unless the worker obeys it he cannot represent the religion of Jesus, lowers the standard, brings reproach on the cause, stands under eternal responsibility in the judgment, and preaches and labors in vain. Making no provision for the flesh for such a worker is refusing to gratify selfish propensities, passionate lusts, tastes and ideas, pride, sensuality, selfish ambition, plans, and self-esteem, and doing only what agrees with personal tastes is of the flesh. Long service without growing in grace comes from this self-gratification, and even evil traits cherished as precious as the right hand or right eye must be separated from the worker or he cannot be acceptable before God.
Lowering the standard by accepting and retaining workers who persist in imperfections of character brings reproach, so candidates must give full proof and be thoroughly examined as to consecration, character, qualifications, and fitness before hands are laid on them for ordination. That examination must come first rather than enduring rigid examination after they are established and have stamped their mould upon the work. Putting on Christ means being thoroughly imbued with the missionary spirit and the spirit of the message, working unselfishly in any capacity without depending on salary or on complicated machinery and mere sermonizing. Young men especially are to go where God leads in the line best suited to talents and best adapted to reach classes hitherto sadly neglected, to do good, lift the discouraged, and enlighten those in error, giving up time for amusements for earnest missionary work. This kind of labor develops intellectual and moral power and adaptability for the work, while making no provision for the flesh means laying aside selfishness and fleshly lusts and refusing to serve self.
Sabbath-school workers meet the standard of Christ instead of the standard of the world by clothing life and character with Christ and refusing any arrangement for satisfying fleshly desire. That means standing in moral independence, coming out from the world and staying separate from its spirit, customs, practices, and fashions, holding steadfast oneness with Christ and unyielding fidelity to God against pride, indulgence in selfish amusement, spending means to gratify inclination, and love of display. They become an example in spirit, deportment, and dress that shows what Christ's religion has done, cultivating His tenderness in persuasion and earnestness in exhortation and living out exalted principles of truth while lifting the cross to follow Jesus. This is accomplished by the gift of the Spirit of God working in superintendent and teacher to will and to do God's good pleasure, keeping the mind stayed upon Christ so thoughts and impulses become spiritual, and enabling them with tenderness and love to draw children and youth to give their hearts to God.
For canvassers and sellers of books on present truth, putting on Christ means surrendering to God, personally accepting Christ by faith as Saviour, and making God the trust every moment, relying on Him as protection against temptation. It requires disciplining self and constantly guarding self with watchfulness lest Satan obtain advantage, standing firm as a rock to principle against a multitude of petty temptations that test integrity and strength of religious principles and habits, since even a small lapse can lead into a course of sin. Obeying it belongs to the highest moral duties and is the very best preparation for the ministry, voiced in the sincere cry from the soul to hear the Lord speak. As Christ is presented as wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, people are drawn to Him for pardon, purity, and eternal life.
Workers must put away self-esteem, self-importance, self-confidence, fretting over self, jealousy, and evil surmising and suspicion, never making self an object of pride, devotion, or idolatry. Putting on Christ is living in Christ with Christ living within, seeking Him in the closet in secret communion, laying hold by faith on His might, making peace with Him, losing sight of self by beholding Christ, and being changed from glory to glory from character to character while rejoicing in His redeeming love and walking in the light of the Sun of Righteousness. True greatness depends on humility, walking humbly with God and bearing in humility whatever honor God gives without exalting self or demeaning brethren, for exalting self shows the Spirit departing and leaves a person to his own wisdom. Putting on Christ governs the manner of working, requiring labor after God's order and not according to man's devising, working as Christ worked and following Him closely with the self-seeking spirit in subjection, all working harmoniously together in oneness, meeting people where they can be reached in synagogues, from place to place, in homes, at the seaside, and in the highways and byways, preaching the word and practicing the word to win souls. Young people preparing for service who put away self-importance are drawn into humble, wholehearted service, willing to bear burdens and face difficulties as His followers.
Daily Life and Reform
Putting on Christ dedicates life to His service and turns away from health-destroying indulgences that feed sinful desires and hinder godliness, supporting growth in grace and sanctification of body, soul, and spirit. It means bringing the fullness of Christ into the life by meeting the condition laid down in the Word and making no provision for indulging the flesh, including refusing to make an idol of food and refusing to yield to wrong appetites instead of honoring God through the body. It keeps the body as God's temple free from defilement, cleansing from all filthiness of flesh and spirit and perfecting holiness in the fear of God, walking honestly not in rioting and drunkenness, not in sexual impurity and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Abuse of the body-temple destroys physical and mental powers and brings suffering and misery, while understanding and obeying this teaching brings wonderful reforms and decided changes so that those seeking Christian character present themselves to God holy and blameless without spot or wrinkle. In sanitarium work this requires standing on the elevated platform of health reform, refusing to serve flesh meat to gain patronage, refusing to give the sick what made them sick and will keep them sick, refusing to employ physicians or nurses unwilling to walk in the full light of health reform, and refusing to operate institutions where perverted appetite can be indulged.
It severs every idol and cherished pleasure that diverts the mind from God, calling for self-denial and self-sacrifice with no excess. It firmly resists the taste for frivolous things and useless ornaments, solidly resisting the little outflows of money and desire that gratify such taste. It overcomes evil with good and lets every penny and shilling and pound flow into channels that glorify God rather than into self-gratification. Money thus directed away from needless display relieves suffering, helps people in need, and advances His work.
Students and youth put on Christ by seeking His Spirit and being imbued with His Spirit and living under His influence day by day. Watching, praying, and earnest effort in the right direction help them resist youthful lusts and manifold temptations and use the time of opportunity well instead of wasting it. They maintain dignity through trial and during the brief season of testing by relying on God's strength and refusing to feed youthful buoyancy and lust. Doing this brings physical, mental, and moral powers into harmony and cooperation under God's discipline, develops intellectual and moral power and God-given faculties to the fullest, makes one a co-worker with the highest heavenly agencies, and brings joy to angels and to God. This includes being determined to practice temperance and working with Him to help those in need and save the world, using abilities in God's service rather than arranging life around selfish pursuits and desires of the flesh.
It calls for speech fitting in Christ's presence, without words that stir up strife or encourage sin, and when sinful or wicked talk cannot otherwise be stopped the person should remain silent or leave, helping turn others toward love and good works. Followers avoid words that cause hurt and disunion and instead show meekness and kindness, being Christlike in every word and action and living the Christ-life by sharing in the divine nature. Dying to self and learning His meekness and lowliness overcomes hereditary and cultivated evil tendencies, especially criticizing and accusing brethren and finding fault, and gives the tongue its highest employment in communicating the knowledge of God by precept and example. When vindicating the truth self is kept out of sight upon the eternal Word of truth, with no boast of knowledge, no reference to sly thrusts, no spirit of retaliation, and with the gentleness, meekness, courtesy, and calmness of Christ preserved under provocation. Zeal is controlled by the Holy Spirit lest it quicken into impatience and hasty feelings and hasty words when Scriptures are wrested and fables presented as truth, since those who have the truth have power only as they present the truth as it is in Jesus, and a gentle spirit under provocation preserves the dignity and elevated, ennobling character of the truth.
It is a life of obedience and service that uses every faculty in persevering, demanding labor in His service rather than leading to feebleness and inactivity, self-love and self-pleasing, or a life of freedom and idleness. It lays aside all pride and self-love to heartily obey God's word, trust Christ fully, submit without reserve, and follow wherever He goes, bringing sympathy, tenderness, compassion, and unselfish love into labor so souls are reconciled to God. It earnestly conforms to God's will with fixed purpose and full use of energies in pursuit of holiness, not indifference, lukewarmness, or self-satisfaction, recognizing duty toward God and neighbor in the strong links the law has defined. Like the soldier whose courage rises as he puts on his uniform, putting on Christ brings strong human passions under God's control and makes a person virtuous and pure and holy, which comes only by most earnest and continual seeking. This makes the Christian a partner with Christ as a positive power to counter-work Satan's deceiving power, reaching men and women where they are and educating the trembling sinner to look to Jesus and live, so minds in moral darkness develop into redeemed workers who win other souls, for a working church is a living church.
It requires looking constantly to Jesus for orders as a servant looks to a master, standing ready to go wheresoever providence leads, taking no glory, and regarding learning, talents, property, and possessions not as one's own but as entrusted stewardships of His grace for service. Those who live in such sincere, wholehearted allegiance reflect Christ and are messengers bringing light amid darkness, with hearts throbbing in unison with His great heart. It remains watchful in prayer and takes on His character and ways in tender sympathy, kindness, and love toward those who have strayed from the truth.
It is thorough conversion by putting on Christ every day with no day of neglect, never laying Him off again to return to half-heartedness, through total surrender with no reservation, no compromise, and no smallest place yielded to worldly policy. It stamps mind and character and molds and refines the features and whole character with the heavenly and divine, being sanctified every hour through belief of the truth with Christ formed within as the hope of glory rather than by extra outward efforts. It redeems time from seen and temporal things to meditate on unseen and eternal things, communing in the closet, laying hold by faith on His might, and making peace with Him, resisting an encroaching world that would separate from the source of strength. It changes a hesitant, undecided attitude to Caleb-like confidence to speak and testify and possess the promised land, and grows in experimental knowledge of grace with continually increasing faith to receive in order to impart. Those thus converted come into right relation with God, show it in the countenance, live as true missionaries, and dwell in unity as on the day of Pentecost, taking a stand on higher ground and moving onward and upward. Nothing else will carry through the closing scenes of earth's history, and only this gives victory and the unfading crown of life to those pressing toward the mark of the prize.