Never Forsaken

Good Morning!

1 Corinthians 10:11-13 King James Version (KJV)

11Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

I memorize in King James. I don’t know why … I guess it is because the King James version of the Bible was the first edition I had as a young adult and I got used to the archaic language. Most of the time I use either the NIV or the English Standard version when I write you … but I like the phraseology of this particular verse in the King James.

Prior to this verse, Paul had pointed the church to the history of Israel … how they had failed God even though God continued to bless them. You see, some of the folks in the church at Corinth had gotten the big head … thinking they were really strong and others around them were weak. Their pride in their strength was really their weak point – a point that Satan was ready to attack.

There are some folks who think the Old Testament is passé – and doesn’t really apply to us. But the Old Testament is a valuable jewel that reveals our weaknesses and the need for Christ’s strength. As Paul says, these things (meaning the stories from the Old Testament) are written for our admonition (warning). And those who think they are something are headed for a fall because they haven’t learned the lessons taught therein. I hope I don’t fit that category.

Look – we are under constant attack from Satan AND from our own old selves. We are like the person who gave up smoking twenty years ago that though “I’ll just try one” and end up with even a worse nicotine habit. Our weaknesses are common to every man … BUT God remains faithful to us even in our unfaithfulness. He knows our limitations and provides us a way to escape … so we can bear up. Life on earth is tough! We haven’t “arrived” yet. But we are under God’s care. And when we turn to Him, we can find His way out.

Have a great weekend.


Agape’


Mr. Jim