There's always a way out
Notes
Transcript
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who 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.
Be careful with our liberties
Don’t think we can’t fall; Don’t think we have no choice
Trust God’s faithfulness to strengthen us
Be careful with our liberties
The boundaries of Paul’s instruction and assurance in this passage begin at 1 Corinthians 8:1. He is addressing the topic of eating food that is sacrificed to idols, from that verse through the end of chapter 10. Verse 12 is really a rebuke toward the elite group of Christians at Corinth who felt they were secure in their standing with GOD. It should be their desire to be immovable and steadfast with the Lord. That wasn’t the problem. The reason Paul gives this warning and rebuke is because of what they felt was grounding them where they stood. The knowledge that an idol was nothing, and that there’s only one GOD and one Lord, Jesus Christ. The fact they knew this, gave them liberty to eat whatever and wherever. The problem Paul addresses is that not everybody in Christ has that level of knowledge that liberates them with such things. Since their minds or consciences are weak, because their past customs cause them to associate certain behaviors with idolatry, seeing those who are “strong” do such things will cause them to do the same against their own consciences. Paul says this makes the strong sin against the weak, and as a result, it is a sin against Christ, because we’re all in the body. Furthermore, the “strong” were also in danger because they felt the ground of knowledge and liberty on which they stood, to some degree made them safe from certain evil temptations. So Paul highlights Israel’s history as a warning from verse 1 Co 10:1-11.
They were delivered, baptized, and had spiritual blessings. Yet GOD was not pleased with most of them because ended up craving evil resulting in sin, and God’s judgment upon all of them.
Application: Many of us are in Christ, and we thank GOD for salvation in Christ. But some of us might rely on certain knowledge, believing we are strong in the Lord, not realizing it might be leading to arrogance in ourselves. See there’s a tendency for us to “ok” certain things for ourselves. There are places we like to go, things we like to watch, and things we like to do, which are not evil of themselves, based on what we understand from and about GOD. But we must ask ourselves the question, does the thing that I deem as “ok”, potentially harm somebody else and the entire body of Christ? Does it hinder the effect of the gospel in someone else’s life? If it does, we are not as strong as we claim because we’re not acting in love.
Don’t think you over it, don’t think you have no choice
Now Paul makes it clear, it’s not the one who is standing strong, but the one who thinks they are standing strong because of these things, must be careful not to disqualify themselves based on what they “ok”. Furthermore, humanity is still frail.
Application: Make no mistake, no matter what we’ve come to know about our liberty in Christ, we are still subject to temptation. It is still a threat to our human nature. To think otherwise would be flirting with temptation. At the same time, let’s not fall to a state of mind which suggests that I can’t help when I am tempted, as if to say what we are tempted with is so unique. And since it’s so unique to me, I’m bound to fall.
Trust in God’s faithfulness to protect us from evil
Well if I’m not bound to fall, meaning it’s not inevitable. And if I’m not so strong within myself that I can’t fall. What am I to do? Paul says GOD is faithful! Meaning GOD is loyal to his children with regard to temptation. Well how is it GOD demonstrates his loyalty, his love, and his faithfulness?
He will not allow or he will prevent us from being pressured beyond our limits.
Application: First, this shows that although GOD doesn’t pressure us to evil, he is still in control. It’s not that GOD won’t allow circumstances which satan uses to pressure us toward evil, he won’t allow it to get beyond or to an extent that we claim “I had no choice but to give in”.
But then the other thing GOD does, is with the temptation, not that he constructed the temptation, but his purpose and will is always at work. He will always provide an escape route!!
Application: This is very assuring of the grace of our GOD. Not only has he delivered us in Christ, but his grace is active every single day of my, your, and all saints lives. When it appears and feels like I’m trapped in temptation, GOD always draws a door for us to escape. This should encourage our minds, transform our thinking about temptations. It is never an indefinite confinement, but there’s always an escape route by the power of GOD!!!
Our GOD is a great GOD!!! Paul says the reason GOD demonstrates this amount of faithfulness regarding our temptations, is to empower us to withstand the temptation. Not endure in the sense of remaining under it, but to fight it by escaping it!!
Let’s be careful of what we “ok”, because it could be leading us to arrogant position with respect to temptation. Also, let’s not think we are bound to fall or that we have no choice but to give in. But let’s strongly trust in God’s faithfulness toward us, that he will prevent it from being a circumstance we can’t get out of, but will always create an escape route for the purpose of fighting temptation. Be encouraged in this fight, to know that there is always a way out!!!