"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it."
1 Corinthians 10:13, HCSB
So, I'm gonna reach for a small factoid here, and assume that you are like me in one very specific way. You are probably human. Did I get that right? And if you are human, then you are also tempted. And if you are tempted, then you also give in, and are overtaken. Please notice, it points out that the only temptations that will overtake us are "common to humanity," and so if it is common to be gluttonous (and it is, folks, especially in America), then it will overtake us. That's just what it says.
On the other hand, though, it also points out that God provides the way away from it. As I have stated before, I will remind you and me and everyone again, the only way to take the way out that is provided is first and foremost to seek it out. Then you have to actually walk THAT path, as opposed to remaining in your squalor and sinfulness. If we don't take the escape route, we have no one to blame but ourselves.
To put a finer point on that last part, if you are falling to temptations, and you are blaming God for them, then you are wrong. Yes, friends, I said it. You. Are. Wrong.
A way of escape is promised, and the last time I checked, God makes good on 100% of His promises. He is faithful, and unfailing, and His love endures forever. He is long-suffering and steadfast, and when He says He will deliver, He delivers in grand exuberance! He never misses, He never falls short, He never comes up just shy... He never, ever, ever fails.
On the other hand, we fail constantly. We think (and yes, I've made this point often) that we can handle it, or that we are able to carry it or that we are stronger than the world around us. How does that work out, exactly? Really think about it for a second. I imagine when you give it some deep and honest reflection, you'll be saddened to admit to yourself that you know you fail in this... guess what, folks, I'll admit openly that I fail in this a LOT! I try far too often to handle things on my own, and it always ends the same way: in tears.
Lastly, and this one is what really stuck out to me this morning, it doesn't say that the escape route is provided so that we can flee... it says the escape route is provided "so that you are able to bear it." There is a light at the end of the tunnel, even if there seems to be no way out of the current moment of temptation. Now, I'll be honest and admit that there probably is a way out of the temptation, but if any given person, including myself, isn't strong enough to take that way and "Just Say No," then there is a light at the end of the tunnel. That light starts simply with the truth that you (we) WILL get stronger, and WILL get smarter, and WILL be abel to stand against all things eventually.
The light is there... and this light is the light of men, the life of men, and it shines in darkness. Darkness tries like the Dickens to overcome it, but this light will NOT be extinguished, friends. It is what drives us forward, it is a pillar of fire to the front and smoke behind. It is our truth, our way, our life, our Redeemer who LIVES that IS THE LIGHT to which we fly in moth-like fashion. Seek Him first, blessed ones, and know that He is able to provide your way free of anything you can imagine... because He endured it all and more for each and every one of you!
God bless you all!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment