2 through [our Lord Jesus Christ] we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

— Romans 2:2-5

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.

— Galatians 5:16, 22-25

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

We might think the primary goal of the Holy Spirit moving through us is all about outward impact, miracles, boldness authority, and gifts. The greatest proof of the Holy Spirit’s presence isn’t how loud we pray but how deeply we love Him and what He loves. His most consistent work isn’t the one that gets us applause but the one no one sees at all because the truth is the Holy Spirit doesn’t just empower us, He transforms us from the inside out.

If we have ever tried to change ourselves through willpower and still found ourselves stuck in the same cycle of anger, impatient pride, or fear, we already know the flesh can’t fix the flesh. We don’t need a personality makeover but a heart transplant and that’s exactly what the Spirit comes to do. Paul wrote in Galatians 5 the fruit of the spirit, not the fruit of our effort, not something we can perform or fake. Its fruit that doesn’t grow overnight. It’s slow hidden and seasonal, but when the Spirit lives in us, He begins to plant something that only He can grow! Amen!