The Gospel According to Paul: God is faithful, and provides a way to escape temptation. Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Monday, May 14, 2018
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“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Stopped Short
The children of Israel were a chosen people who were entrusted with the charge of being God’s witnesses to the then known world. Their obedience and intimacy with God have been recorded forever, in the Bible, for us to follow their example. There are many victories recorded from which we might learn, but there are also defeats, that are equally instructive. The people had a habit of worshiping other things in place of God, lusting after evil. As a result, many of them were overthrown in the wilderness, on their way to the Promised Land.
Many times we read of such unfaithfulness, and probably have asked how in the world those people could have been so wicked. After all, did not God constantly demonstrate His power on their behalf with visible signs and wonders?
The Bible echoes, with a resounding warning, against such pride. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). This text is trying to teach us distrust of self. At the same time, it encourages us by saying we do not have to fall into the same sinful patterns. Why? He is faithful!
Tempered Temptation
The Lord has promised to filter the devil’s temptation through His loving care. Always remember that the victories that Jesus accomplished while living on the earth are available today for our deliverance. If temptations come our way, we can be assured that there is a back door ajar to aid in our escape.
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever Amen” (Jude 1: 24-25).
I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, are you?
