Expect victory over temptation
Key Verses: 2, 5, 11, 13, 21, 23, 27, 31
If I have to choose a team that I identify with, it would be the Redskins. I know they haven’t won in years, but that just shows you how important sports are in my life. I can identify with the Redskins.
The Israelites identified with Moses. They had gone through experiences that shaped their identity. And yet, only two of the millions actually had the privilege of entering the Promised Land. The odds were against them because of their unbelief. They wanted evil more than good. They wanted pleasure more than holiness. They wanted short term gains rather than long term stability. Sounds like the stock market of spiritual things!
The thing we all have in common that gets in the way of our spiritual progress is temptation, or should I say yielding to temptation. Remember that when temptation comes, God guarantees you the ability to resist. Some people pull part of this verse out of context and say that God will never give you more than you can bear. But that promise is about not temptation, not about tragic circumstances in life. Sometimes life gets the best of us, and we must lean on others to make it through. We allow others to help bear our burden.
But we always have the ability to say NO to temptation, no matter how great that temptation is. God will provide the ability to stand up against that temptation, to say YES to Him. That is a promise we need to hear in our times.
You see, we are united with each other through Christ. We celebrate that connection when we worship together. Communion gives a wonderful picture of this. Unfortunately, the Corinthians polluted communion by choosing to participate in some of their old pagan rituals as well. They said YES to temptation, to the old familiar, rather than to the life we have in Christ. We all face this same decision. We can choose the new or the old; it is our choice. But Paul says that not every choice is a good choice.
Facebook at $38 a share was not a good short term investment, especially since it has dropped down into the $20s. Maybe it will rise in the future, but as of today, it was not a beneficial purchase. Some of our liberties in Christ might not be good long term choices. We are free to eat whatever we want, since all foods are acceptable, Christ having fulfilled the requirements of the Law on our behalf. But pork rinds eaten in our typical quantities are not healthy for us. But lobster always is, until we plunge it in the butter!
There is no need to change our diet in order to please God. He is pleased already. We are forgiven! Eating a vegetable filled diet might be good for us, but it is not necessary for salvation or even living a life pleasing to God. Food is just food, so enjoy the fellowship around the table.
The Arnold Journey 