“There is Help:
Pastor Rich Edwards January 16, 2005
Romans 7:14-25 14 The law is good, then. The trouble is not with the law but with me, because I am sold into slavery, with sin as my master. 15 I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. 16 I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 But I can't help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things. 18 I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can't make myself do right. I want to, but I can't. 19 When I want to do good, I don't. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway. 20 But if I am doing what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing it; the sin within me is doing it. 21 It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God's law with all my heart. 23 But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. (NLT)
1 Corinthians 10:13 But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it. (NLT)
First things first, temptation in and of itself is not sin. It is the giving into the temptation that makes it a sin. I believe society as well as the church today is looking for authentic Christianity. A relationship with God that does not deceive itself into thinking one is immune to the struggle of sin. We are certainly redeemed because of God’s work on the cross, but in order to live out the gospel passionately, one must recognize this struggle. For it is in this recognition that God truly becomes our refuge and strength.
Taking The Road Less Traveled
Devotion Notes for the Week of January 19, 2005
One of the reasons I enjoy the Apostle Paul so much is that he gets right to the point. He immediately gets to the heart of an issue. At times believers in Christ subconsciously look for loopholes in order to justify their actions. Paul writes, “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more kindness and forgiveness?” Of course not! How do you abuse God’s grace? What sin has its hold over you? It is in the recognition of your sin that will lead you to freedom.
God will never seduce you towards sin. The other day a man at Dunkin Donuts was quite annoyed at me because my children were fighting over a bottle of water. He gave me the look, (you know the look) and in my frustration at the girls and his annoyed look I fired back at him and said, “Do you have a problem?” To say the least he never responded, but he heard me. In my heart I felt justified because I was having a bad day, and besides no one is perfect. As Christians we must take responsibility for our actions. What do you need to talk to the Lord about today?
No one is immune to temptation. Jesus, the son of the living God, was immediately tempted by Satan after his baptism; perhaps at his weakest moments. What are the weak moments in your life that set you up to fall? Notice, Jesus was tempted when he was tired, alone, and hungry. How did Jesus deal with these temptations? It’s never too late to start a personal time alone with God’s word. What about a study group with fellow Christians? What about a prayer partner that will love you unconditionally, and walk with you on your journey with Jesus?
There is a scene that is embedded in my mind from Mel Gibson’s movie, “Passion of the Christ.” Jesus is in complete agony as he wrestles over his Father’s will. (Remember Jesus is fully God and fully human) The sweat just pours down the face of Jesus. He concludes this conflict of wills with these words, “But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?” (Message translation)Later on in the passage Jesus leaves his disciples again and says, “I’m ready. Do it your way.” (Message translation) In Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus did not only know scripture to combat the temptations to sin, but he obeyed scripture. He put his Father’s desires first. Jesus surrendered to the will of the Father. What do you need to surrender before God in order to do his will?
The 1996 most valuable player in baseball, Ken Caminiti came clean in an interview with Sports Illustrated. In the June 2002 article, entitled “True Confessions of a Baseball Player” Ken admitted to steroid use. Within his fifteen year career he went from a scrawny looking man to a man that looked like he lifted weights for years. His actions tormented his soul for years until he got honest and came clean. The life he led as a baseball player on steroids misrepresented baseball. Jesus Christ realizes (Romans 7:14-25) and understands (Matthew 4:1-11) the struggle with sin in the believers life. Sometimes in the Christian life we can become sloppy to our own sin. It does matter how we live our life and how we deal with temptation .How are you representing Jesus to the world? Draw near to the God of grace and love.
Day Six Read Matthew 4: 3; Luke 12:13-21
Look at the entire passage of Matthew 4:1-11 again. Concentrate on verse three. Satan does not just tempt us in our weaknesses. He tempts us in our strengths as well. Jesus had the power to control the situation by turning the stones into bread. He also had the power over the angels and kingdoms of the world, but he relied on God’s strength, and not his own. He did not rely on himself. When we rely on our own strengths we push God aside, which breeds pride. Pride shifts our trust from God to SELF. What do you trust in?
You stand at a fork in the road. The voices of culture try to seduce you. They call out your name. They suggest a better alternative that is quick and easy, even pleasurable. You let down your guard and even quote scripture. You say, “God will not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear.” You keep walking towards them and the enticement gets stronger and stronger. Now you begin to rely on your own strength and deceive yourself into thinking this is not that bad. You take a nibble and before you know it you are immersed in whatever it is. You cry out “God, where are you? You said you will never let me be tempted beyond what I can bear.” All along God has given you a way out, an escape route. Jesus whispers in you ear: I understand the conflict of temptation. You can resist temptation. Rely on my strength and word. Pray for my strength. The body is weak but the Spirit is strong. The Spirit says this is not righteous. Choose me. The people of God, the church is there for you. Do not be ashamed.