I love reading the Word of God. There's an old American saying, maybe from a movie, I'm not sure, "There's gold in them thar hills." Well, I'm going to steal that saying and change it a bit...."There's gold in that thar Book!" I love when you're reading and something just pops out. Sometimes it's something so simple you wonder why you didn't see it before. Sometimes it's a reminder of a truth you already knew, but hadn't thought about in a long time. Sometimes it's just a new way of seeing a verse that matches up perfectly with the life circumstances we are facing just then. I guess that's why the Lord tells us in regard to His Word: "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." Hebrews 4:12. His Word is alive, powerful and active.
So twice this week while I spent time in God's love letter to us I saw something I didn't see before. The first came in James 1:12-15 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say,"God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
Well, now wait a minute here. God doesn't tempt, but He does test? What's the difference? This was our discussion at Bible study on Sunday. Is it the same thing? How does God test, but not tempt? God doesn't put sin in our path, does He? I mean He has no fellowship with sin, right? Well, as I mulled this over during the next few days, I came up with a simple answer. We all face testing. God, life, the Devil...wherever that testing comes from it's something we have to face. The temptation part comes from in our selves...what choice do we make when facing the test? Perfect example, my breakfast drink spilled while I was driving on Monday. I'm not talking a little drops, I'm talking half the drink, spilling over into my new car's console. That was the test. Now, the temptation: how do I react? The temptation came from within myself to scream and yell at God...accusing Him, being angry and lashing out. And I have to say I did a little of that....for about five minutes before I got over it. So it became simple to me...testing outside, temptation inside. I don't know if that "religiously" correct, but it works for me.
Second gold nugget came from 1 John 1:5-10 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin. If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that His Word has no place in our hearts.
Okay, so all this seemed a bit contradictory to me. I'm supposed to be living in the light, right? God is in the light, no darkness, no sin, just perfection...but if I am living in the light, then how can I be as sinful as I am? How can I claim to live in the light and still fail and fall so often? I mean, I'm a mess! And here is the ah-ha moment...it's not a matter of me being sinless, it's the fact that as I live in God's light, I see my sinfulness, I see my need to confess I see my need of Jesus. Oh! Living in the light means I see God's truth and agree with His way of seeing things. How else would I know to confess sin if I wasn't shown what was right or wrong. I would be living in spiritual darkness if I didn't see my true self, blemishes, flaws and all. I'd think I was just fine the way I was, never admitting the truth: I need a Savior! I need forgiveness! Thank God, He shows us our sin and then provides the way to be forgiven and redeemed! And it's not confession that makes me anymore acceptable to God...I am already accepted in Jesus Christ...but my confession and my receiving of His forgiveness breaks down the barrier of sin between us, letting us have fellowship with our Father and other believers.
God is so cool! LOL
Lord, thank You for Your wonderful, glorious, living, breathing Word! Thank You for all the treasures You've stored there for us to find! Lord, let Your Word come alive in our hearts and transform our lives! Give us a deeper love, a deeper understanding....give us more of You! In Jesus' beautiful Name, amen.
Dig into to the Word today!
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