Temptation is not a sin (August 5, 2013)

WE DO NOT HAVE A HIGH PRIEST WHO CANNOT
SYMPATHIZE WITH OUR WEAKNESSES, BUT
WAS IN ALL POINTS TEMPTED AS WE ARE, YET
WITHOUT SIN.
           ( Hebrews 4:15 *NKJV )

    Jesus was like us in that He experienced many
temptations while He walked this earth in the flesh.  For
an example read  Luke 4:1-13.   We may therefore
take comfort in knowing that He faced temptations and
understands what it is like to be tempted!   We can also
be encouraged knowing that He faced them without giving
in.  Thus He showed us that we could likewise avoid sins
when we are faced with the seductive lures of this World
as well!

    After all; NO TEMPTATION HAS OVERTAKEN YOU EXCEPT
SUCH AS IS COMMON TO MAN; BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL,
WHO WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO BE TEMPTED BEYOND
WHAT YOU ARE ABLE, BUT WITH THE TEMPTATION WILL
ALSO MAKE THE WAY OF ESCAPE, THAT YOU MAY BE
ABLE TO BEAR IT.           ( 1 Corinthians 10:13 )

    Now Jesus' doesn't expect us to live perfect lives thus
avoiding all sins.  He knows that to be of the flesh is to be
of a sinful nature.  He does however expect us to do our
very best in resisting such temptations, and when we fail
God offers us the opportunity to repent and seek forgiveness.

    So, truly do the best that you can, and remember
that God will still love you if you slip once in a while!  For as
the Poet wrote:

            For nobody's perfect, once there was One
            Sinless and blameless, Whose message
                                was love,
                ...But the people crucified Him!
                                           Poet: Grace E. Easley