“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
Number of years ago many Christians would wear wristbands with the letters “WWJD” on them. If you recall, that was an acronym for “What Would Jesus Do?” A visible reminder to themselves and a witness to others of their personal faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Secondly to help them with perspective on how they should respond to life. I think the more important, perhaps subtly different, question is “What Did Jesus Do?” WDJD. No, I don’t plan to market new wrist bands – What I do want to do is to encourage you to consider that although a wrist band might be a visible reminder – our ability to DO what Jesus DID is supernatural, born of the Spirit, faith and will.
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17
Jesus was tempted as we are tempted. Vulnerability to temptation has the same root source … our old nature – the natural man. ( I suppose it goes without saying for those who reads these devotions that when I use the word “man” it is a reference to mankind – including both men and women.) Temptation is the considering of an opportunity to do your own thing and disregard God. For you to decide what is best for you, what is right. Jesus was tempted in all ways and yet did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15) When Jesus was tempted in the desert (Matthew 4:1-14) the first temptation (lust of the flesh) was to satisfy His flesh, “turn stones into bread”. He had not eaten for 40 days! Seems reasonable, but then most sin seems reasonable. It was well with his power to do it. He had turned water into wine. But that was really not the point of the temptation. It was to choose something other than God. “Man does not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Often what seems innocent can be deadly to our spiritual relationship with the Father. The second temptation was to throw himself off of a pinnacle and the angels would catch him. (Pride of life) “You shall not put the Lord, your God to the test”. You want God to prove you have value to Him. He already has. The third temptation, (lust of the eyes), “[Satan] showed Him [Jesus] all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Jesus replied “You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.” To make it clear – Jesus – the God-man – was tempted but God was not tempted. Satan’s aim was to defeat God’s plan for the salvation of mankind by testing Jesus human side. (James 1:13)
The things of this world are merely enticements for you to place your trust elsewhere. For many, many people, they don’t own possessions, the possessions own them. I know many Christians who say no to God because they are shackled by the things of this world. Satan is called the god of this world. (2 Corinthians 4:4) He could offer everything Jesus saw to Jesus because it was his dominion. We say God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10) as if to justify our lust for possessing “the cattle”. We, in fact, are God’s possession. Bought with a price. We belong to God and should face temptation to act otherwise with the power of the Word of God, just like Jesus did. Jesus was and is submitted to the will of the Father. His devotion to His Father was greater than the concerns of His flesh. Do not think that doing what Jesus did is impossible for you. Well, I guess it is if you try to be like Jesus on your own. Living our new life successfully requires faith and obedience which requires humility. And that is what the Father expects of His children.
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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