BREAKOUT!

BREAKOUT!

Thursday, June 04, 2015

1Corinthians [MKJV] 10:13-14 No temptation has taken you but what is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation also will make a way to escape, so that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

Ephesians [Please have open before you in order to see verses referred to today.]

  We all are tempted. Being tempted is not a sin. Entertaining and following, being led by, temptation is and has been sin from the original tree side encounter. God’s people are not however without ever available help, “a way of escape” provided by Sovereign God Almighty in one of two main forms.

  Miraculous deliverance of Red Sea (Deut.11:4), fiery furnace (Dan.3:26-28), lion’s den (Dan.6:16-27) sort; such delivery being dearest to our heart though such miraculous occasions are not typical of God.

  God’s deliverance most universal, often, and obtainable involves His provision ours to choose or not. The letter to the Ephesians addresses this option.

  Both paths of deliverance have same Author, and means of appropriation: submissive trust. Stepping between the Red Sea walls of water required submissive trust. (Though we don’t know, I suspect there were some Hebrews that left not the Red Sea shore and returned to Egypt.) Refusing to bow to other than Jehovah God requires submissive trust. God’s provision for we latter day saints listed in Ephesians 6 requires the same submissive trust.

  The epistle is addressed to the redeemed, 2:1 “quickened”, 4:30 “sealed by the holy Spirit of God” at Ephesus . . . but is nonetheless a letter to believers thereafter and hereafter.

  We are to walk and work in this life as His forgiven people, compassionate to brethren and enemy in likeness. (4:30-32)

  Paul then spells out several areas that are particularly problematic in our “inner man” (3:16):

·         Personal sacrifice.

·         Foolishness.

·         Excess.

·         Neglect.

·         Sloth.

·         The inner life.

·         Drunken escapism.

·         Marital. Wives and husbands!)

·         Childhood rebellion.

·         Service attitude for boss and worker.

  Then in 6:10-11 Paul begins to address provision for victory “against the wiles [Gr. Methodical trickery] of the devil [Gr. Diabolos; Satan; false accuser, slanderer].” In 6:12 (GW) the Apostle lists Christian warriors’ external foes: “… not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world.” (Note 2:2.)

  Though Paul lists our enemies, it is not his emphasis. His emphasis is God’s provision for victory as opposed to remaining self-reliantly naked and vulnerable. (1Pet.5:6-9) The equipment is readily available, ours for the taking. But let us not forget, though God permanently dressed us for heaven, He does not dress us for life’s battle. God does provide the full wardrobe of armor and weapon for heart, mind, and hand. Donning this armor is our responsibility. (Note 5:27 result of submission to His will.)

  How now shall we dress his and every day?

EBB4