Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Sin and Death
Dear Friends,
A reading from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans (7:13-25):
Did the good, then, become death for me? Of course not! Sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin, worked death in me through the good, so that sin might become sinful beyond measure through the commandment. We know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold into slavery to sin. What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I concur that the law is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not. For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand. For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, I myself, with my mind, serve the law of God but, with my flesh, the law of sin.
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The night before last was the warmest so far this year. I suppose we will have thunder very soon. It must be warmer in Prince Edward Island than in Florida. It has never been so warm in June.
Below you will find the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“You are all called to do good, My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters who live by the grace I give you every day. How many people are living in the slavery to sin! It is like an addiction. One who is addicted to alcohol or to drugs cannot do without these things. They have such a desire for these things that they would go anywhere to get them when they are out of them. It is the same with sin. If one has a history of a particular sin, that sin will attract him or her until he or she has committed that sin. So no one has the power to conquer sin, but only the person who acts on the grace I gave him or her. With that grace the person can say a complete no and be freed from this slavery.
“This is why I came to earth to help you change your life around by leaving sin behind and following the good way, which I showed you. Saint Paul teaches you how difficult it is to overcome sin, but it is possible with the grace I won for you. First you must believe in Me as your Savior, and then pray with all your heart for the grace to overcome your leaning toward sin, and after some time you will win. All those who remain with Me will grow in holiness every day. I bless you all.”
Father Melvin