1 Corinthians 10:7-13 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did--and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did--and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did--and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. --NIV In the name of the One Who wants us to stand firm in the faith to the end, amen.
Temptation comes at us from every angle. We think we are all right--that we will not fall into temptation, and then it hits us and we look back wondering, “How did I get here?” Make no mistake my Christian friends, you can fall from faith and be damned. The Scriptures are very clear. They do not say, “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you aren’t really standing.” No, they say, “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.” Falling is a real possibility for every Christian.
Now, look at the list that St. Paul gives us: idolatry, testing the Lord, and grumbling against the Lord. These sins all took place during the exodus from Egypt. The people grumbled about not having food and God gave them manna, then they grumbled about not having meat and God gave them quail but destroyed many of them. They tested God when they wanted water. They worshipped a golden calf. Each of these temptations were brought against Christ when He was tempted in the wilderness. But He said, “Man does not live by bread alone,” “Do not put the Lord your God to the test,” and “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only” (Matthew chapter 4).
The point is: don’t think that you yourself can resist the temptation. Rather, when temptation comes don’t worry so much about what Scripture passage to quote, instead flee to the arms of the Word of God who stood firm under temptation. And if you do fall, remember that He successfully resisted the temptations for you, so that you have a way of escape—forgiveness because of Jesus' perfect life which is yours in Baptism. Amen.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, left to ourselves we would surely fall. But You have given us Your Son Jesus to be our perfection. When we are tempted, turn us to Him for protection, and make us stand firm by the Holy Spirit, amen.
Copyright 2001 Reformation Lutheran Church http://ReformationChurch.org