There are many things of interest in this chapter but I'll hit just a few of them
1) Sins of Israel
2) Temptation and Sin
Sins of Israel
After Paul had told us in the previous chapter to run the race in Christ in such a way as to win, he then describes how most of the Israelites fell short of the goal. They had all experienced God's great miracles and his presence and speaking to them yet despite all of that most didn't make it. Paul warns us to avoid the evil that they were drawn into: idolatry, sexual immorality, putting God to the test and grumbling. The first two we readily identify as sins but the last two are items are a bit surprising.
Putting God to the test is essentially telling God, "if you don't do this, I won't follow you." The Israelites tested God several times demanding food, water, meat. What is somewhat interesting to me is that the items they wanted were things that God wanted and was willing to give them. Jesus promised that if we seek first the kingdom of God that he will provide for us food and clothing as they desired. It is always fine and we should ask God for our needs, but we shouldn't turn it into a demand and say "provide this for me or else I won't follow you."
Grumbling often is the precursor to putting God to the test and other sins, but it is also a sin in itself. When we are complaining to God or especially to others against God, that is a problem. When we complain to others against God, we are discouraging them rather than encouraging (Eph 4:29), we are not speaking true or commendable words, but rather false and dishonorable ones (Phil 4:8). Both grumbling and putting God to the test demonstrate a lack of faith and trust in our Father who loves us and wants what is best for us. Unfortunately, all too often we complain about lack of what we need, about the long time in waiting for God to act or provide or about specific items such as jobs, spouses (or lack of) or children (or lack of). I'm not saying that we should pretend that all our problems don't exist. What needs work is how we approach these things. Rather than complaining, we should cry out to God who desires to meet our needs. We should be driven to our knees in prayer rather than driven to the phone to complain. David often cried out to God in the despair of his soul as is recorded in Psalms. Even Jesus in his state of anguish and despair cried out to God. He didn't pretend that everything was OK, but his response was to pour out his heart to God, crying out for help and expressing his dependence upon him.
Temptation and Sin
Some interesting notes about temptation and sin:
1) Pride is a big problem that will cause us to sin: "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall" (v 12). If we think that we have conquered an area of temptation and are not susceptible, BE WARE! That is for instance why I think that Billy Graham's personal disciplines in regard to sexual temptation that I mentioned in the last post are important. We need to maintain a humble approach to sin recognizing that except for God's grace and mercy 1) we would still be in sin and not forgiven 2) we'd fall back into the sin. We read about the Israelites and see their bad examples, but we need to recognize that we are no different. As Pastor Norm Althausen wrote in a song, we need to not say that if we were there we would have obeyed but rather "believe and obey today. Do the things we've been told to do and stop saying 'I don't know how.'"
2) The temptations that we face are common to others (v 13).
3) When we are tempted God will provide us a way out. This is not saying that God is tempting us to sin (James 1:13) but in his faithful mercy, he is making sure that the temptation is not beyond what we can bear. Clearly God allows the temptation to occur. The temptation allows us to see what is in our hearts as we see how we respond. Jesus himself was tempted in every way, yet without sin (Heb 4:15). So when we see or feel temptation, we should run to God and cry out to him and ask to be set free - lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil (Matt 6:13).
Lord Jesus, give us the grace and humility to recognize our weakness especially where we feel strong. Help us also then to turn to you for help that we may find your rescue and way out. Thank you for you faithfulness and love!
1) Sins of Israel
2) Temptation and Sin
Sins of Israel
After Paul had told us in the previous chapter to run the race in Christ in such a way as to win, he then describes how most of the Israelites fell short of the goal. They had all experienced God's great miracles and his presence and speaking to them yet despite all of that most didn't make it. Paul warns us to avoid the evil that they were drawn into: idolatry, sexual immorality, putting God to the test and grumbling. The first two we readily identify as sins but the last two are items are a bit surprising.
Putting God to the test is essentially telling God, "if you don't do this, I won't follow you." The Israelites tested God several times demanding food, water, meat. What is somewhat interesting to me is that the items they wanted were things that God wanted and was willing to give them. Jesus promised that if we seek first the kingdom of God that he will provide for us food and clothing as they desired. It is always fine and we should ask God for our needs, but we shouldn't turn it into a demand and say "provide this for me or else I won't follow you."
Grumbling often is the precursor to putting God to the test and other sins, but it is also a sin in itself. When we are complaining to God or especially to others against God, that is a problem. When we complain to others against God, we are discouraging them rather than encouraging (Eph 4:29), we are not speaking true or commendable words, but rather false and dishonorable ones (Phil 4:8). Both grumbling and putting God to the test demonstrate a lack of faith and trust in our Father who loves us and wants what is best for us. Unfortunately, all too often we complain about lack of what we need, about the long time in waiting for God to act or provide or about specific items such as jobs, spouses (or lack of) or children (or lack of). I'm not saying that we should pretend that all our problems don't exist. What needs work is how we approach these things. Rather than complaining, we should cry out to God who desires to meet our needs. We should be driven to our knees in prayer rather than driven to the phone to complain. David often cried out to God in the despair of his soul as is recorded in Psalms. Even Jesus in his state of anguish and despair cried out to God. He didn't pretend that everything was OK, but his response was to pour out his heart to God, crying out for help and expressing his dependence upon him.
Temptation and Sin
Some interesting notes about temptation and sin:
1) Pride is a big problem that will cause us to sin: "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall" (v 12). If we think that we have conquered an area of temptation and are not susceptible, BE WARE! That is for instance why I think that Billy Graham's personal disciplines in regard to sexual temptation that I mentioned in the last post are important. We need to maintain a humble approach to sin recognizing that except for God's grace and mercy 1) we would still be in sin and not forgiven 2) we'd fall back into the sin. We read about the Israelites and see their bad examples, but we need to recognize that we are no different. As Pastor Norm Althausen wrote in a song, we need to not say that if we were there we would have obeyed but rather "believe and obey today. Do the things we've been told to do and stop saying 'I don't know how.'"
2) The temptations that we face are common to others (v 13).
3) When we are tempted God will provide us a way out. This is not saying that God is tempting us to sin (James 1:13) but in his faithful mercy, he is making sure that the temptation is not beyond what we can bear. Clearly God allows the temptation to occur. The temptation allows us to see what is in our hearts as we see how we respond. Jesus himself was tempted in every way, yet without sin (Heb 4:15). So when we see or feel temptation, we should run to God and cry out to him and ask to be set free - lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil (Matt 6:13).
Lord Jesus, give us the grace and humility to recognize our weakness especially where we feel strong. Help us also then to turn to you for help that we may find your rescue and way out. Thank you for you faithfulness and love!
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