Good morning. Today’s Bible verses are Colossians 3:5-7: “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.”
Our world operates under sinful principles: money, sex, and power. The desires of the eyes, flesh, and pride of life shape people’s actions and attitudes. Regardless of race, creed, or intentions, all who are outside the Body of Christ are bound by sin and guilty before God. Everything they do, say, or touch is tainted by sin, and we once lived in that condition.
Those regenerated by the Holy Spirit are freed from their sinful nature and no longer compelled to follow sinful desires. By faith alone in Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross, their sins are forgiven, and they gain new life as members of the Body of Christ. Thus, freedom from sin, guilt, and right standing before God comes solely through faith in the gospel of grace—not through repentance, baptism, church attendance, tithing, or any other act.
Dear brothers and sisters, if you believe the gospel of grace, you are redeemed and freed from guilt. You are free from sin's bondage; your old nature and its desires no longer control you. In this freedom, you can choose to reject sin and follow God.
Therefore, recognizing this change, we who have believed and are part of the Body of Christ must choose to live in contrast to those without faith. Each day, we intentionally turn away from the sinful desires of our old earthly nature. We do this by seeking God’s will through prayer and by reading His Word, focusing on Paul’s letters, Romans through Philemon, as our source of faith and practice in this age. We also seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we make choices that reflect our standing before God.
Reflection: What specific attitudes or behaviors will you reject so you can better live according to God's will? Ask God to help you recognize and turn away from these tendencies throughout your day.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Col 3:5–7.