1 Thessalonians 5:15
November 3, 2024
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING – 3 NOVEMBER
November 3, 2024
THE 3rd OF NOVEMBER
THE FRUIT OF OUR LIVES REFLECTS WHOM WE CHOOSE TO OBEY
“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness. What fruit did you gain from the things you are now ashamed of? For the outcome of those things is death.” – Romans 6:20-21
Paul’s words here highlight a timeless truth for everyone before they come to faith in Christ and surrender to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. For those ruled by the flesh, simply desiring to do good isn’t enough—sin is their natural choice, and doing good demands effort and commitment. In the original Greek, “when I would do good” implies that the desire to do good isn’t innate in our carnal nature; instead, the urge to sin is woven into it. However, once we are reborn in Christ, we become spiritually renewed, possessing the “mind of Christ” in our inner being. Yet, until we allow God’s Word to renew our physical minds, we remain vulnerable to the desires of the flesh.
In our inner selves, we genuinely love God’s commandments and wish to obey His will completely. But our flesh remains weak, often resisting the Holy Spirit’s authority. When we attempt to do good solely by our own strength, we frequently stumble. Yet, as Paul discovered, through Christ we are freed from sin’s grip, and by seeking the Holy Spirit’s help, we can increasingly make right choices. The promise remains true: “There is… no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).
SUGGESTED PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for freeing me from the law of sin and the grip of evil. By loving You more and immersing myself in Your truth, I am transformed and empowered to sin less. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for the guidance, strength, and joy I find in Your presence, which help me control my desires. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set me free from the law of sin and death. Glory and honor to Your Holy Name, forever and ever. Amen
