“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Romans 6:11-12).

Joe had a reputation in town, and it was not a good one. Everyone knew him. No one trusted him. Frankly, no one really wanted him around. His mouth was poor. He often was not sober. “Old Joe,” as he was called, had no friends. No friends, that was, until the new preacher arrived in town. One afternoon the pastor was out in the neighborhood, knocking on doors and introducing himself. He came to Joe’s door (as you can tell, this was pre-COVID-19). To make a long story short, “Old Joe” invited the preacher in, and that started an amazing conversation. The very next Sunday, to the astonishment of the church family, Joe showed up for church and sat right down front! I’ll tell you tomorrow what happened that Sunday. But for now, think of our verses today. If you know Christ as your Savior, the changed life ought to be real and easily spotted by others.

For today: Ask the Lord to help you live out Romans 6 through His power. What a blessing you will be.