WISE UNTO SALVATION

Jack Davis

Part 2

WISE IN PRESERVATION

“The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks” – Proverbs 30:26.

Who could take wisdom from such feeble folk? There are different ideas as to what these Conies of that day were, but by most they were thought to be among the most defenseless of God’s little creatures. Oh, how wise are those today that have fled to the “rock of our salvation for refuge.” The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies” – Psalm 104:18.

Where do we build, and where do we abide? The love-life of Solomon was told of being “in the clefts of the rock.” Those feeble folk today, that are not able to defend themselves, are wise to build for security.

“Whosoever cometh unto me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock” – Luke 6:47-48.

What marvelous instruction we have in God’s Word for being spiritually constructive. Taking the Word of our Lord into receptive hearts and acting upon it, we build upon a good foundation. The Lord gave the Apostle Paul the blueprint for the church, specifying lasting building materials, that must be used, I Cor. 3:9-15. Thank God that we are given the materials to build with that will stand the fire test. He made it so very clear that this wasn’t a competitive business that necessitated tearing down the work of others in order to be successful.

Paul says, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” – II Cor. 10:12. What security is there in such? We become stronger in our stand when we are used by the Lord to strengthen and edify our brother.

It is a great privilege to be one of the Lord’s “feeble folk” that have been learning to lean on the Beloved, and not on our own understanding. To the world, and the majority of Christendom they are considered small and insignificant, if considered at all. Yet these “feeble folk,” out of weakness, are being made strong in the power of His might. Such are chosen of God to confound the worldly wise, and the things of worldly might. Oh yes, God has chosen the base and despised things which are considered to be nothing, to bring to nothing the things that are considered of great import. The ultimate purpose in such choice is that the truly wise may glory in the Lord - I Cor. 1: 25-31.

These find their happy home in Him, and therein abide, being richly satisfied. They are fully aware that their “life is hid with Christ in God” (precious stones in the rock within the rock). In their “little strength” they “lay hold upon the hope set before us.”
The only safe building place is in the Rock.

WISDOM IN PROGRESSING

“The locust have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands” – Proverbs 30:27.

The king that we are wise to let rule in our hearts and lives, has not yet claimed the universal throne, and is not yet visible to the natural eye. Yet His faithful co-heirs are not without clear direction. I Tim. 1:17, and 6:15-16. The Holy Spirit was went to direct wise movement in the will of God. May we not learn from the locust, of the unity of the Spirit? Eph. 4:3. Is there not a great waste in energy and effort in Christendom today? I wonder why?

“Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” – Eph. 5:17-18. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body…” I Cor. 12:13. We enter this body by spiritual birth - John 3:6-8. We each then need to drink in of God’s Spirit, and by spiritual growth, grow up into Christ in all things. He (the Holy Spirit) is our wise guide and teacher into all truth - John 16:13; I Cor. 2:9-16. “For as many as are lead by the Spirit of God, they are the sons on God” – Rom. 8;14. But if ye be lead of the Spirit, ye are not under the law” – Gal. 5:18. It is easy to see where the Spirit leads, and know His realm of operation. Paul was inspired to write “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. If we live in the Spirit, let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another –  Gal. 5:16, 25-26.

In the living creatures (Cherubims) we seem to find the ultimate expression of the unity of the Spirit. As with the locust, “go they forth by bands.” We see the full overcomers prophetically imaged, hence, symbolically expressed. We read in Eze. 1:9, “Their wings were joined one to another, they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward. Thus were their faces; and their wings stretched upward; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies. And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; and they turned not when they went - Eze. 1:9, 11-12.

May we not sense in these, their wings expressing their ability to rise and reign, mounting up over all hindering obstacles. In this power to overcome the strivings of the earthbound flesh, they are united. Joined one to another, they rise above the things that cause divisions, and go straight forward, where the  Spirit was to go.

UNTIL THEN

Anita Clark – Pastor, Carbondale, KS

I Timothy 6:12-14 - “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession. That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Our focus today should be the “Appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Apostle Paul called the world of his day, “this present evil world (Gal. 1:4). The world at that time was full of sin and debauchery. As we read about the history of that time, we are amazed at the riotous living and sinfulness that went on during the Roman Empire in Paul’s day. He admonishes Timothy to keep his view Spiritual and looking toward the soon appearing of Christ. Paul thought that Christ would come in the time they lived in, but He has not returned yet, over 2,000 years later. The world is in worse condition than when Apostle Paul was here. II Timothy 3:13 tells us, “Evil seducers shall wax worse and worse.” This prophecy has definitely came to pass. But the child of God, who vehemently looks for the Lord’s appearing, will be ready to go to be with the Lord, when He calls whether by life or by death. As Apostle Paul says in Philippians 1:20, “According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that my boldness as always, so now Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.”

In Luke 19:12-13, Jesus told a parable, “ A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said to them, Occupy till I come.” the word “occupy” means in the Greek, “To busy one’s self with, to trade.” In other words, “I must be about my Father’s business (As Jesus said).” In the English “occupy” means “to fill or preoccupy the mind and thoughts.” Other words that describe this are, “to busy, absorb, engross, preoccupy, or hold the attention.” So, we are to occupy doing God’s will until Jesus comes back.

Philippians 4:8-9 tells us to occupy our mind with, “...whatsoever things are true, ... are honest, ... are just, ... are pure, ... are lovely, ... are of good report, ... if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.” These are the things to meditate on until He comes back to take us to dwell with Him forever. Matthew 24:44 says, “Therefore, be you also ready, for in such an hour that you think not, the Son of man cometh.”

In Philippians 1:6, Apostle Paul says, “Being confident of this very thing that He which hath began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Until Jesus comes back again to catch away His waiting Bride, work in our lives goes on. There’s a little song which says, “He’s still working on me to make me what I ought to be.” Until He comes this wonderful work is going on to change us into His image. It is not done by gritting our teeth to try to overcome in our own self effort. Any of us who have ever tried that, know that we cannot achieve what we would like. Our part is to yield to the Lord’s working, which will go on until He comes. He will have a bride who is prepared, as is seen in Revelation 19:7-8.

In Matthew 24, Jesus Christ tells of the future events, of the coming judgment and the endtime scenario of the wickedness of the world and the Antichrist. In verse 32, He speaks of the “fig tree” which is representative of the nation of Israel. Jesus says, “When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generations shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” Here again we have the word “till” or until. This shows that certain prophetic things must happen before the Lord will return in power and glory. This is speaking of His return at the end of the seven years of tribulation, not His appearing before the tribulation which is mentioned in I Thess 4:13-18.

In Job 14:14, he says, “ All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change comes.” This word he uses “wait” means in the Hebrew, “be patient, have hope, stay or trust.” Paul speaks of this truth in I Corinthians 15:51-52, “Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be changed.” We are certainly waiting for the change. Praise the Lord! “Death will be swallowed up in victory (Vs. 54).”

As we wait, “Until Then” we worship and serve the Lord and others. In I Corinthians 11:23-26, Apostle Paul instructs about remembering the Lord’s death by eating and drinking of the bread and the wine. This is a blessed time to remember and think of what the Lord did for us on Calvary, as He gave His life for us to be redeemed. In Verse 26, the Apostle says, “For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup you do show forth the Lord’s death, till He comes.”

Until He comes, what are we to be doing? Walking with God everyday - Letting God lead and direct us everyday - Yielding to His divine will for our lives - Praying and seeking Him on every occasion for every need that comes up - Loving Him supremely, above all else - Looking and watching for Him to come today! Praise the Lord!

Hear Ye Him

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Matthew 17:1-5

I think Peter had a reaction that is common to many. There are many monuments/religious “sacred” sites that man has created because he felt something important happened there. However, it seems clear that God was not interested in that kind of distraction from His people. His statement is really clear and clearly heard by those that were there. “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”

So then, the question is: are we hearing Him? Maybe more succinctly, are we listening to Him? Or, are we too distracted by our own ideas and desires, even if they be “religious.” Being able to listen to someone requires some closing of our own mouth and concentration on the person speaking.

When the disciples heard the voice from heaven, it caused them to fall on their face, and I think they were very quiet at that point. What is the effect on us when God speaks? Falling on their face is a sign of absolute reverence. “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,” Psalm 95:6-7.

The first thing needed to be able to truly hear Him speak to us is reverence – the fear of the Lord. If we do not believe that He is who He claims to be, how are we going to listen to Him? “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9. We must believe that this is true, and so then, whatever God has to say is of extreme importance and not subject to our conclusion about it’s truth. It is absolute truth.

Secondly, we must be quiet (mouth and mind) to concentrate and meditate on what He has to say to us. Halfway listening is not listening at all. There is so much noise today from the world around us that distracts us from listening to the Lord. So many are listening to the latest thing that is posted on Facebook or some other social media that they cannot hear the truth of God’s Word. Just remember that only God’s Word is truth. Everything else is based on some person’s interests and desires. Be careful what you hear, and more importantly, who you hear.

Gordon Crook

UNITY OF THE BODY

Alice S. Mooneyhan

“For by one Spirit are we all
baptized into one body…”
I Cor. 12:13

The unity of the body of believers was made on the day of Pentecost through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that others who believed, were added to the Church by the Lord, or were added to the Lord (Acts 2:47).

“…he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit” (I Cor. 6:17). “There is one body…” (Eph. 4:4). The reason we do not see the unity among God’s people is because all members do not allow Christ, our only and all-sufficient Head to direct them.

Either they are ignorant of the truth, or else they permit others to usurp the headship of Jesus Christ and lead them away after themselves, of whom Paul warned us in Acts 20:29-30: “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”

In writing to the church at Corinth, “with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,” Paul stated: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” – I Cor. 1:10

Is it any wonder then that he warns us in Rom. 16:17: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

We do not break the unity of the body of Christ when we judge the evil within the Church and separate from it. On the other hand, it is only by separation from evil that the unity and holiness of the body of Christ is maintained. “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us…Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” – II Thess. 3:6,15.

WHAT’S IN A NAME

Part 1

Kathryn Devers

The ancestry of Abraham is recorded in Gen. 11:10-26 through the line of Shem. The Lord Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah and Redeemer of Israel, was born of the seed of Abraham. In this section of scripture, from the meaning of at least eight of these names, the character and mission of Christ are foretold. To study the meaning of names has always been of great interest to me and I trust this will be a blessing to you.

SHEM means “a name.” Even before the conception of the Lord Jesus, the angel told Mary his name. “And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS” – Luke 1:31. He was indeed unique. In this name is authority, power, excellency, majesty, etc. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”– Acts 4:12.

The lame man in Acts 3 was healed through faith in this “name.” “And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know.” All service rendered in His name shall be rewarded. “And whatever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance.” – Col. 3:17,24.

Because of His condescension “…God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” – Phil. 2:9-11. O, praise God for the precious name of Jesus; just to bow before Him now in humble adoration and acknowledge His worthiness of all honor! I highly treasure this name; the sweetest I know. Hallelujah!

ARPHAXAD: “One that heals or releases.” Jesus returned to His home town, Nazareth, after His temptation in the wilderness, and entering the synagogue on the sabbath day. Stood up and read from the book of Isaiah. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised” – Luke 4:16-18.

The word “heal” means “cure, make whole, restore health.” This is exactly what Jesus did during His short earthly ministry, which was a foreshadow of the effectiveness of His sacrifice at Calvary - Matt. 8:17. The gospels record many deliverances, such as: healing the lame, blind, deaf and dumb, lepers, a woman with “an issue of blood,” raised the dead, (Lazarus, Jairus’ only daughter, the widow’s only son). This certainly healed the brokenhearted, cast out unclean spirits, etc. He had power to forgive sins and did - Matt. 9:1-6. Bless God, His blood has never lost its power! What a man! He is just the same today as yesterday, and worthy of our trust.

One day, this same Jesus is going to “heal, restore,” His people Israel of all their woes. “Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight” -Hosea 6:1-2.

SALAH: “Mission, Sent forth.” It was in the mind of God to send His dear Son on a mission, even before the foundation of the world. “Sent” means “send away to a place appointed.” “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” – John 3:17. He was willing to leave that intimate place of fellowship with the Father (John 1:18) by coming to this sinful world (the appointed place) to fulfill His will.

The world was already condemned or under the sentence of death because of Adam’s sin. “…as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” – Rom. 5:12. The only way of deliverance for the guilty sinner was death, and Jesus was willing to pay the debt by taking the sinner’s place. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” – Heb. 9:28; John 3:15. Thus He accomplished “the definite task” of the Father and “became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” – Heb. 5:9. What a gracious Savior!


PELEG: “A Channel, Passage Way.” “God is a Spirit,” and must have a channel through which He can exhibit His divine attributes, i.e. love, mercy, grace, etc., to both sinners and saints. Jesus Christ is that channel. “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…full of grace and truth.” “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person…when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” – John 1:14; Heb. 1:3.

Thus Christ was the representation of God’s substance, deity in the world. He is the “passage way” for every blessing that flows into this world from a loving gracious God. “…we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” “…having made peace through the blood of his cross” – Col. 1:14,20. “…saved from wrath through him.” “…we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” – Rom. 5:9,11. “…a son and…heir of God through Christ” – Gal. 4:7. Made rich THROUGH His poverty - II Cor. 8:9. He gives us freely all things THROUGH Him - Rom. 8:32. Ultimate victory over death is THROUGH Him – I Cor. 15:57. O, what eternal riches and blessings are ours to enjoy! “That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” – Eph. 2:7. O, to be found in Him, and to have that righteousness, which is THROUGH the faith of Christ, is my desire! How about you?
To be continued

HOPE THAT IS SEEN IS NOT HOPE

Gladys Crook

“Blessed be the  God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein we greatly rejoice…” I Peter 1:3-6.

This is a living hope, and I believe, speaks of when we receive our glorified bodies, the first phase of our inheritance. We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, and surely, that salvation is when we receive our new bodies. It is a hope that is sure and steadfast as are all the promises of the Lord.

In Hebrews 6:18-20 we read, we have “strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus…” That is why it is sure, because Jesus Himself has gone before.

Then we read of the Blessed Hope in Titus 2:11-13. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Surely it is a Blessed Hope. When the storms of life surround us, we have the upward look above the clouds and are blessed.

I John 3:2-3: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as she is pure.” So this is a purifying Hope. That is why we are told to live soberly, righteously, in this present world. It surely does purify and sanctify our hearts.

Then we read in Romans 5:2-5 of the Hope of the glory of God in which we rejoice. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts…” We shall never be put to shame for the Hope that we have because of the love of God in our hearts, and because it is sure and stedfast.

The last verse of I Corinthians 13 tells, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).” One of these days soon, Faith and Hope will no longer be needed, but Love will be with us throughout Eternity. Praise the Lord!

GALATIANS 6:1

Debra Isenbletter, Pastor

Christian Assembly, Springfield, Missouri

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Vs. 1-2
Forgiving Brother: restore such a one. The word “restore” means “to repair, too restore to a former good condition; to prepare, to equip.” This speaks of both a repairing and a repairing.
It has a medical use: “The Greeks used the word to describe the action of a physician setting a broken bone. Such a procedure called for knowledge, skill, and care. It was not a task for just anyone. Mishandling of a fracture could make it worse” (John Phillips). I think this emphasis on “knowledge, skill and care” really shows that when we “restore such a one” it must be according to God’s Word. If it is done apart from the Word, then that restoration can cause greater damage to the individual and the assembly. It should be done carefully and skillfully like a surgeon with knowledge in the procedure.
It has multiple uses: “The word “restore” is used of reconciling factions, setting bones, of putting a dislocated limb into place, of mending nets, of manning a fleet, of supplying an army with provisions” (Kenneth Wuest).
The same word is used when the Lord found James and John “mending their nets” (Mat.4:21). It is used of God’s creative power: “the worlds were framed by the word of God” (Heb.11:3). Paul used this word when he prayed that believers be made “perfect in every good work” (Heb.13:21), and that the saints be “perfectly joined together …” (1Co.1:10). Peter also prayed that “the God of all grace … make you perfect…” (1Pe.5:10).
The phrase “such a one” points to the one that is “overtaken.” It is the one who knows he has sinned, who confesses his sin and who repents of his sin. The person who had stumbled and become entangled either in sin or legality was like a broken bone in the Body of Christ. They needed to be set back in place so they could heal, so the assembly can heal. The whole body is hurt if one bone is broken, even a bone as small as a finger. The purpose of Grace is to join us together so there is a perfect fit, that we function together perfectly in harmony.
When saints stumble in sin or wander off the road of grace, they can be restored. Paul is not speaking of those who have been put out of the meeting, who will not repent, will not submit. These are those that are repentant and see they were “overtaken in a fault” – they are “such a one.” They are restored because they want to be restored. We see that attitude in the man from Corinth who was put out of the meeting and repented and the admonition of Paul to “forgive and comfort him” (2Co.2:7).
Meek Brother: in the spirit of meekness. This is your spirit yielding to the Holy Spirit in an attitude of meekness, which means “gentleness” or “humbleness.” This attitude is a fruit of the Spirit. It is amazing how everything is tied together, how everything works in harmony when we yield ourselves to the Lord wholeheartedly.
The “spirit of meekness” is not one of anger or superiority, it is not overbearing, it is the exact opposite. It is “gentleness, humbleness.” It is a fruit of the Spirit. I know that this fruit is the character of Christ, I know His Life resides within me, I know each portion of that fruit is there waiting to be seen and I know it is constantly growing. What I was struck by was that sometimes it takes something, some circumstance, some trial, some adversity, something to activate the manifestation of that fruit. It is one way of looking at – Why did this have to happen? – Why do I have to deal with this or face this? Sometimes we need to be put in a position or place where the Holy Spirit is given an opportunity to bring forth this fruit in our lives. It could be that only that particular circumstance can bring forth that particular fruit. And each time that fruit is brought forth, whatever it is, it will grow. Here in this circumstance of a brother being “overtaken in a fault” is an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to bring forth the fruit of “meekness.”
Discerning Brother: considering thyself. The word “considering” comes from “watch, mark, look at observe.” It is translated as: “heed” (Luk.11:35); “mark” (Rom.16:17; Phil.3:17); “look” (2Co.4:18; Phil.2:4); “considering” (Gal.6:1)
The idea is not just look at others but look at yourself. The idea is to remember that you can stumble, you can be “taken in a fault” just as easily. There is no superior ‘holier than thou’ attitude. There is no ‘I am better than you.’ There is only an acknowledging that we are each in a body of flesh, we each can be tempted, we each can stumble. It reminds me of the phrase: “There but for the Grace of God go I.” Supposedly John Bradford in the 16th century said that when he saw a group of prisoners going to the scaffold. Paul revealed this attitude when he said: “For I am the least of the apostles that am not meet (fit) to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am …” (1Co.15:9-10)
Tempted Brother: lest thou also be tempted. The word “tempted” is from piercing, a test “scrutinize, examine, prove.” In a bad sense it means: “to test one maliciously, craftily, by enticement to sin; to solicit to sin; temptations of the devil. In a good sense it means: “to try, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quantity; to put to the proof his feelings or judgments, to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character.
The fact is that we will be “tempted” or “tested.” That is what our Christian experience is all about. That is what sanctification is all about. For those yielding to the Holy Spirit, those submitting to the Word of God, that testing can be an opportunity to overcome. Paul is reminding us that if we fail in some way because we have been “tempted,” if we failed in that test, would we not want someone to “restore” us in “a spirit of meekness”?
Moses was put to the test this way: He had his problems but his overall testimony after 40 years was that you “saw my works” (Heb.3:6). There was a consistency and constancy in his life.
Jesus was put to the test in this way: It is good to remember when we are being “tempted” that we have a Savior Who was tempted (Heb.2:18). He understands. He intercedes (Heb.4:15).
We are put to the test in this way. But Paul reminds us that there will always be a way of escape and that we will be able to bear it (1Co.10:13).
We need to understand that we all can be tempted and “taken in a fault.” We cannot be arrogant (1Co.10:12). We cannot blame God (Jam.1:13-14). Instead we can one day at a time, “walk in the Spirit” – “live in the Spirit” – and manifest “the fruit of the Spirit.” When we do this, then the following admonition in Gal.6:2 becomes a precious privilege and opportunity to let that life of Christ be made visible in a very real and very powerful way.