Love One Another

 

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.” (Galatians 6:1-3)

Christian, when someone is found to have sinned, you who are living Spirit-directed and close to God should, with God’s given meekness and gentleness, strengthen and help that person walk close to God and do His will. Carry each other’s burdens as they are tempted and endure trials, just as Jesus helps you carry your burdens, so they are not too heavy and give encouragement to each other. This is one way to love God and neighbor. It fulfills the law of Christ, which Matthew recorded in Matthew 22:37-40.

In case you think you are important or better than another, rid yourself of that idea. Don’t deceive yourself. None of us is better than others. We each are tempted, sin, and carry heavy burdens. That’s why Jesus told us to love each other, so we receive help, encouragement, and love, and then grow closer to God and more like Jesus.

Notice the person who sees the sin of another is aware, confronts the other person in love, encourages, and walks with that person all in the power and will of God. Living in this way affects the mind, heart, body, and spirit of a person. It grows both the helper and the recipient in their faith and walk with God. One should never note a person’s sin and broadcast it, but should invest in that person by heart, word, and action through the Holy Spirit.

Freedom

 

“My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.”

— Galatians 5:13 (CEV)

 

This Bible translation seems closest to the meaning of the most often used word, “opportunity”. Other Bible translations say don’t use your freedom as an opportunity, occasion, or incentive to indulge in/satisfy your flesh.

 

After looking at the Greek word Paul used in this verse, it seems the verse should read like this. “Don’t use your freedom from slavery to sin, which is gained through believing in and being saved by Christ, as a reason or excuse to indulge your sinful human desires. Instead use your sacrificially bought freedom as the opportunity to serve each other.” 

 

The freedom about which Paul wrote is freedom from our past sins that held us powerless against future temptation and condemned us to eternal separation from God. This freedom, bought through Jesus’ sinless sacrifice on the cross, gives anyone who believes in Him the power of His Holy Spirit, who dwells in each believer, to overcome the temptation and not to sin. This freedom comes from the power of God, who lives in us through the Holy Spirit. 

 

We have the power, if we accept it from the Spirit, not to sin (indulge our human desires) and  only care for our wants. Instead, we can care for other people. When we indulge our human desires and sin, we turn our back on God, and that often means we’ve harmed at least one person overtly and/or covertly. Sinning hurts God, other people, and, often, oneself.

 

Instead of relying on our own power and then sinning, rely on the Spirit’s power, avoid sin and love other people. By doing this, you love God, too.

Escape

 

Therefore, let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind.

God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 [NASB])

If you have ever read a Bible, listened to one being read, or heard people quote Scriptures, you have probably heard this verse or something akin to it. Most often, people will use part of it. What they say is, “God will not allow you to be tempted more than you can handle.” There is much more to these two verses Paul wrote than God’s benevolence to a person. These two verses speak almost exclusively about God.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church in south-central Greece. The body of Christ, the church, there was experiencing problems within it. (Note: All churches will experience difficulties, temptations, and sin at least once.) Paul wrote to these Christians about the factions and divisions in the church caused by people falling to temptation. He wrote to tell them each member of the church must stand strong in their faith in Jesus to be a unified body of Christ that serves the members and the neighbors outside the church. A Christian’s freedom through Jesus Christ does not mean they are free to sin. Potentially, that would cause a brother or sister in faith to stumble because of his or her example.

To what were the temptations did the Corinthian Christians fall? Lust and craving what they did not have and but wanted. They were discontent with God and seeking only Him. The Corinthian Christians allowed these things and activities they desired to be their gods. These Christians worshiped false gods. Paul said the Corinthian believers wanted to gratify their evil desires and live immorally. By doing this, they caused factions and division in church and caused other believers to falter in the growth of their faith.

Next, Paul reminded these believers about the Israelites, God’s chosen people, and how they had a covenant with God through Moses. Repeatedly, the Israelites broke their covenant with God and sinned against Him. Paul helped the people recall what happened to the Israelites when they sinned. This, hopefully, would cause reflection amongst the Corinthian Christians and influence them to become mature followers of Christ. Paul wrote to the Corinthians because he cared for them. He did not want them to fall to temptation, but to stay in a growing faith-relationship with God.

With verses twelve and thirteen, Paul explained how Christians could avoid the snare of temptation, not be seduced to sin. In the New Living Translation of the Bible, Paul’s words in verse twelve say, “If you think you are standing strong, be careful (take action) not to fall.” Just when a Christian thinks he or she has conquered his or her temptations and cannot be tempted again, watch out because one is already in front of you. No one is outside the sphere of temptation. Paul’s word standing comes from the Greek word meaning being steadfast in mind and faith. It involves the mind, heart, and spirit. Indirectly, what Paul said involves action, too. Strong faith in and from God will keep Christians from acting out their desires that He does not approve. Paul meant, do not stop guarding yourself against Satan’s attacks. Put on the armor of God always. No person is strong every minute of his or her life. If that was the case, then Jesus would have had no reason to come to earth and die sinless of a sinner’s death. He died to take our place, so we would not have to die for the judgment of our sins. So, stand strong in your mind and faith and be careful not to fall. Consider the possibility of falling to temptation and being on guard, consider, and take heed (act) to avoid sinning. Living the life of a Christian in a fallen world is like being in a battle.

Paul continued with verse thirteen by telling the Corinthians how to avoid falling to temptation. He began by writing, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.” Remember, in verse twelve, Paul mentioned one must be steadfast in faith and mind and act, so he or she does not fall to temptations. Fight temptations with your whole being–heart, soul, mind, and strength (body). With verse thirteen, Paul reminded them no temptations any Christian faces are different from what other people experience. Each Corinthian Christian (and us) faced what the other did, wallowing in pity and being the lord of their lives, or allowing God to be the only God of their lives. None of us is beyond being tempted by Satan. All people have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Jesus came for this reason. He paid the penalty for each person’s sins by dying a criminal’s death, though He had not sinned. Jesus did not leave believers defenseless against temptation. He gave His Holy Spirit upon their belief in Him. Other Christians have faced the same temptation the Corinthians Christians faced and emerged victorious; therefore, each believer can overcome temptations. The Corinthian Christians were not defenseless; no one is. Take heart by remembering the people who walked through and defeated this same temptation. Remember, the ones who went before us, like the Israelites, who fell to temptations, reaped their reward of disciplining and judgment from God.

Even more than recognizing we must be strong and have faith, in both of which falter, we must recognize God and not wallow in self-pity. Paul wrote about God in verse thirteen. He said, “God is faithful.” In the middle of these two verses, Paul reminded the Christians of the most important part of fighting temptations. God is unlike humans who fail in their promises. He always keeps his promises. He abides by them. God’s faithfulness is a fundamental part of His being. He cannot lie or fail. What God says He will do will be done. Everything He promised in the past still holds true. He promised He would be found if we sought Him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13). God will never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8 & Hebrews 13:5). Jesus said to His disciples He was going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house (John 14:2). The Bible is filled with God’s promises to His people and to those who earnestly seek Him. God is always faithful to His children. Faithfulness is inherently part of God. Each believer must hold on to that truth as they battle temptation. They do not fight alone or with failing strength. God gives faith to believe in Him, that He will lead him or her to victory over that temptation.

The third statement Paul wrote in verse thirteen is, “He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.” (NLT) God is faithful and God is powerful. Omnipotence is part of who God is. Only He holds the universe in its correct alignment, so cataclysm does not occur and destroy all life. No person is more powerful than God. When fighting Satan’s forces as they strike out against you, a person needs superlative power, power beyond all imagining. The word power comes from the Greek word dunamis, from which the English word “dynamite gets its origin. Besides knowing this, we must recognize Paul did not tell the Corinthian Christians they will fight the temptations alone. God is with the person and will not allow it to be greater than the person can withstand. God knows that each temptation and trial grows a person stronger in their faith and trust in Him. He knows when it will be more than the person can stand up against because the person’s Christian growth has not grown that far. God also knows when a person needs to grow more and allows stretching through trials and temptations. In this verse, remember, God is and has the power (dunamis) to help a Christian get through temptations and to stop it completely, so His child is not overwhelmed. Note that God’s hand in all this. He is faithful. He has and gives His power. God controls how long a temptation/trial will last. Defeating temptation is all about being united with God in heart, mind, body, and soul.

The fourth and final part of verse thirteen states Paul told the Corinthians Christians, “When you are tempted, He (God) will show you a way out so that you can endure.” So, understand well, God won’t let a temptation go longer than you can stand with faith in Him and His power. He will show/give you a way out. He knows the map of the temptation and your desires and leads you, with His light, to green pastures (Psalm 23). Paul began this teaching and encouraging passage by telling the Christians to be careful and make sure they are standing strong against temptations. Look, see, and discern you face temptations and without God, you will not prevail. At the end of verse thirteen, Paul said, “When you are tempted, God will show you the way out and carry you away safely.”

Paul reminded the Corinthian Christians they will still face temptations like they did when they were not believers in Jesus. So, do not be surprised. Paul did not end with that fatalistic thought. He said God is faithful. He is faithful to His children and His promises. Paul continued by reminding the believers God is all-powerful. He can defeat the temptations Satan throws at them. God knows how far a Christian has grown spiritually and has the power to end the temptation at a specific point. The LORD is almighty and gives the strength His people need for the temptation/trial when they ask Him. Inherently, God is faithful, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and almighty. He knows what each person faces at any moment in time and desires to help him or her. Christians must do their part, too. Paul mentioned only two things Christians must do. He said believers must be steadfast in mind and spirit (vs. 12 a) and “be careful not to fall.” Christians must remember He is always with them, giving them His power and strength, and making a way for them to greener pastures (Psalm 23).

Being careful not to fall requires action. Believers in Jesus must act on the faith and trust they have in God. They act based on who God is, His promises, and what He has done and can do; He can do everything. The faith and actions of Christians are not baseless. Christians’ lack of faith can cause harm to themselves and their relationships with family, friends, God, and believers in the body of Christ. Paul addressed the Corinthians Christians because of their sins of living like non-Christians: visiting temple prostitutes, worshiping idols, cheating people out of money. In essence, they made their desires into their gods and did not follow the LORD God. Be aware when you sin, you cause disunity in the church, just as the Corinthian church experienced. You cause other believers to stumble. And you allow yourself to be led astray by Satan. When Christians live by God’s power against temptation, they gain more faith, grow more like Jesus, grow closer in relationship with God, grow stronger relationships with other people, strengthen the church to follow God more diligently, and bring God glory 1 Corinthians 10:31b).

Where do you stand in your relationship with God? Are you fighting temptations in your own weak strength and power? Or are you calling on almighty God to fight with you, give you faith, and show the way out of that situation. From this, your relationship with Him will grow and be an example of His faithfulness to someone who watched you conquer that temptation. Do not stop praying for strength to combat temptations. They will confront you every day.

 Whether then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 [NABS])

God is faithful, all-powerful (omnipotent), almighty, all-knowing (omniscient), and always-present (omnipresent). You face and endure nothing without His knowing, His light, His power, and His strength because He is always faithful to His promises to His children. Going through trials and temptations can be all about God or all about ourselves. You choose and that choice decides the outcome of the temptation. What you choose can and will affect other believers, your neighbors, and the church.

 

Ego and Glory

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 [NLT])

Many people look at these two verses and read, “God is faithful and won’t give you more than you can handle.” That is all they recall. I believe that is what Satan wants them to recall. But there is more to this passage. We must begin at the beginning of the chapter to understand fully what God wrote through Paul.

In the first eleven verses of this chapter, Paul reminded the Corinthians of the Israelites’ history. He reminded them how God had guided them by a cloud and how He had parted the sea so they could walk on dry ground to escape Pharaoh’s army. Paul recalled for them how the Israelites ate and drank the food and water God sent for them each day. Then he explained anew how these same people whom God rescued displeased God. The Israelites worshipped idols, complained about food and drink, celebrated with feasting and drinking and pagan revelry that included sexual immorality. God responded to these people with faithfulness and disciplined them and removed the ones who led others astray. He sent snakes to bite the sinners and the angel of death to remove them from among the Israelites.

The point Paul made with this recollection of the history of Israel is they put God to the test. He told the Corinthians they should not put Christ to the test. They should not test God’s patience and faithfulness to us just as those who died from snakebites did. What God did to the Israelites for discipline purposes were examples to the Corinthians and us so we would not challenge God with our rebellion. Paul said in verse eleven, “These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.”

Of what does this warn us? Paul explained this in the rest of the chapter, but he gives the how in verses twelve and thirteen. In verses fourteen through thirty, he said not to give offense to others who possibly are weaker in the faith or who are not Christians by your actions. Don’t create temptations for yourself by the freedom Christ gave you and so put your guard down when you eat things that you knew people offered as sacrifices to idols. And don’t anger God by your freedom by saying “all things are permissible.” (vs. 23) Paul warned the Corinthians and us of this. You notice in these three things, each action would affect a relationship - yours with others, yours with yourself, and yours with God.

With this understanding, Paul told them how to withstand temptation. Before we understand that, we need to understand human ego. Most people think they are strong enough to stand against temptation, but if that were so, all the addicts over the history of time and wouldn’t be addicts, whether addicts of alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, porn, abuse, food, shopping, or whatever. Yet, if we truly look at human history and ourselves, we recognize, we are not strong enough to stand against all temptations. We are not Christ who stood strong against Satan’s temptations in the desert. Humans eventually collapse when faced with certain temptations in their lives. We each have weaknesses. Our egos tell us we are strong enough and can do this or that without failing, and sometimes we can. Most of the times, though, we cannot.

At this point is where Paul’s statement in verses twelve and thirteen come to play. He said, “If you think you are standing strong,” when often we are not standing strong. Paul knew humanity’s weaknesses because he recognized his own weaknesses. He had been a self-righteous Pharisee. “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.” Paul knew at some point each person succumbs to temptation and warns them not to think too highly of themselves and their capabilities. Again, with verse thirteen, he reminded them that the failures of others we see around us, their weaknesses and falling to temptations, could be us, too. We are like every other person who walked the earth. We are weak and cannot stand up to every temptation.

Paul didn’t stop at that point and cause the Corinthians or us to despair. He reminded us about God and His characteristics. Paul continued, “God is faithful. He will not allow temptation to be more than you can stand.” Notice, God is the One who is all-knowing, always faithful, and all-powerful. Paul reminded the readers of this letter they are no stronger than any other person who’s lived, but God is stronger, is strongest, is faithful, and loves us. Because of God’s faithfulness, love, and knowledge of each of us, “He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.” Don’t stop at that point, though. If you do, you will interpret this passage as many secular Christians and non-Christians do, with an off-the-cuff faith. It’s like the saying you hear from people, “God’s got my back.” It requires no faith in God is required to say that. That saying doesn’t give you the strength to walk through a situation. It’s just a saying, like when people say, “God won’t allow me to experience more than I can handle.” With those statements by people, no faith or covenant with God is required to say it. Paul reminds us instead that God’s wisdom, strength, faithfulness, and love, His covenant with us as His children, that sees us through the situation.

Paul completed his thoughts on this with, “When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.” God is the One who makes a way. He won’t give you more than you can handle, and He will show you the way out so you can endure. The ability to withstand temptation is all about God. Paul made sure we understood that. He showed the frailties and weaknesses of humanity in verse twelve. We bring nothing to the table by which we can go through difficulties other than our faith in God, our covenant relationship with Him. God brings everything to the table for us to get through these times. He brings His knowledge, power, wisdom, love, and faithfulness that gets us through hard times. God is faithful to His covenant with His children. He will show us how to get through situations in our lives. What we bring to the table in these situations is our faith in Him and our obedience to His direction. We have no power and wisdom to get us through every trial.

God’s covenant with His children and their covenant with Him affects their relationship, and it affects their relationships with the people around them, and their relationship with themselves. Paul made sure the Corinthians and later readers understood this. When we stand strong because of God and give Him the glory, it strengthens our resolve and grows us to be more like Christ. It affects the people around us who see our trials and watch how we walk through them. When you testify and live a life of testimony to God, others grow, too. Our relationship with that person grows. This is the overarching learning point for the Corinthian Christians. Their lives should be a living testimony to the people watching them. This is what Paul meant when he said in verses thirty-one and thirty-two, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God.” Live a life of testimony giving God the glory for everything you do and all that He does in your life and it will affect other believers, non-believers, and your own life.

Paul ended this chapter with, “I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.” (vs. 33b) Satan wants to make us think we are unable to do things or that we can face things without God’s help. Satan lies.

Be faithful to God. Be true to your covenant with Him. He is always faithful to you. He will not allow a temptation to be more than you can stand and will always show you a way out so you can endure.

Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

If you are not yet a child of Yahweh God, you can be by believing in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Admit you are a sinner. Believe in Jesus Christ. Confess your sins to Him. God loves you and wants to save you from your sins and death. He wants to have an eternal relationship with you.

Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps His covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes His unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:9 [NLT])

God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:9 [NLT])

Lord, so often I just push through a difficulty in my own strength and forget to ask You for Your wisdom and help. I think, “I’ve got this!” In that thinking, I have rebelled against You. Please forgive me for thinking better of myself than I am. Help me remember, You are the reason I live and am saved from sin and death. Not of my own strength, intellect, or reasoning have I survived, but only because of You. Help me to seek You and then to give You all the glory. Help me to remain totaled devoted to You. Use me to share about Your love and faithfulness to people around me. Amen.

It's Good to Draw Near

Psalm 73 speaks of jealousy of the foolish and arrogant rich. These people became rich by mocking and extorting men. These wicked rich spoke against God saying He had no power over them and could not judge them. They paraded their arrogance and enticed God’s people to drink from their cup and follow them.

The psalmist saw the things the rich had and experienced temptation until he went to the sanctuary of God. He remembered God would cast these wicked rich down to destruction and would allow them to be consumed with terrors. When the psalmist recalled this, he recognized his sin and repented.  

He remembered God is good to His children, those who are upright and pure in heart. God is continually with His children, holding their right hand and guiding them. He receives them into His glory when they die and gives them honor and glory when giving them their inheritance in His kingdom.  The psalmist recalled who God is – almighty, the true desire of our hearts, our Rock and Strength, and our Portion forever. This epiphany led to his testimony and profession.

The psalmist declared God is not God of those who are far from Him. He will not receive them into His kingdom, but will destroy everyone who is false to Him. His final profession, seen from renewed eyes and heart, juxtaposed with the start of this psalm when he declared himself a child who almost slipped. Now the psalmist drew near to God, keeping his focus on Him and not himself or his temptations. He recognized God anew, put His trust in the Lord again, made Him his refuge, and determined to tell about God’s works. This psalmist no longer focused on material things - what he didn’t have or what he wanted. Instead he focused on God, the One Who is good to Israel – the pure and upright in heart.

"Whom have I in heaven but You? I have no desire or delight on earth besides You. My flesh and heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength.” (Psalm 73:25-26)

Father, help us to keep our eyes and heart focused on You and not things of this world. Help us not be jealous of the wealth of others, but find our contentment and purpose in You. Call us to draw near to You, keeping our focus on You and not ourselves. Use us today to give testimony about You to the people we meet. Amen