- JESUS: The Series (Season 1)
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Oscar Wilde said, “I can resist anything except temptation.” God has set up guardrails in our lives. Some of the most famous guardrails are the Ten Commandments. God says don’t worship any other gods, don’t murder, don’t lie, and don’t commit adultery. But why has God outlined some things that we shouldn’t do? It’s the same reason that people put baby gates in front of a flight of stairs. God is gracious to give us these boundaries to protect us from things that hurt us. Sin looks much less enticing if we remember the consequences it brings.
God wants what is best for you, what is best for you is to be Holy. 1 Peter 1:16 says, “It is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'” Holiness sounds like a real “religious” word. All it means though is to be set apart from the sin that hurts us and instead follow God’s purposes.
We can never be perfect, but we can strive to improve.
John Calvin said, “As even the most perfect are always very far from coming up to the mark, we ought daily to strive more and more. And we ought to remember that we are not only told what our duty is but that God also adds, ‘I am He who sanctifies you.'”
It’s not about trying harder; it’s about giving over control to Jesus. It’s about surrender. When temptation comes your way remember that every mousetrap comes with free cheese. God has set up these boundaries outlined in His Word to protect you.
James 1:14-15 says, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth death.” We could avoid so much sorrow, guilt, and pain if only we would listen to our loving Father.
In Christ,
Pastor Phil