Today I will beginning a look at the term "tempted." But before going there I want to share another word from the pen of Pastor Robert Hoekstra dealing with Jesus as the Son of man being given for us and then being given to us. As this is what our study is actually saying and Promised to us.
"Jesus Given for Us to be Given to Us"
"For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (this is our Redemption), much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His Life." (Romans 5:10)
"As the ultimate free gift of GOD's Grace, Jesus was given for us (dying for our sins): "He who did not spare HIS own Son, but delivered Him up for us all" (Romans 8:32). Moreover, He was given for us to be given to us (that He might express His Life in and through us)."
"We begin life as enemies of GOD (being separated from HIM being propagated in sin). Certainly, we were lost in the world and condemned (not knowing our true state and condition of a weak and beggarly life). Yet, our situation was even worse than that. Our lives worked against the purposes and plans of GOD: "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works" (Colossians 1:21). Our evil thoughts and activities set us against the LORD in both mind and deed. The only way that we could become the friends of GOD was for Jesus to be given as a sacrifice for us. "When we were enemies we were reconciled to GOD through the death of HIS Son." The LORD as Jesus had to deal with our dual problem of sin and unrighteousness. "For HE made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of GOD in Him" (2Corinthians 5:21). The Father graciously placed our sins on HIS Son that HE might give of HIS righteousness to us. For all who would believe in Christ (the resurrected Jesus Who is now both LORD and Christ), this brought the precious gift of Reconciliation (the turning from enemies into friends)."
"Even after this rich Grace of Reconciliation, the LORD had "much more" yet to give us. "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to GOD through the death of HIS Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved (healed or restored, which is part of Salvation) by HIS Life." What remained after Jesus being given for us (for our Reconciliation) was for Him to be given to us. This is related to Christ Jesus (the placing of Christ before Jesus is significant because it expresses the change of state or location of the Spirit Christ the anointed One) coming to dwell within us that we could be "saved by His Life." Why do the friends of Jesus still need to be saved? Well, His followers would be persistently threatened by the world, the flesh, and the devil. They would still be vulnerable to such matters as, temptation, doubt, fear, fruitlessness, distraction, inadequacy, and more. How then would they be saved? This ongoing rescuing work of the LORD would be "by His Life" — by Christ identifying which Spirit is at work within us is the same Spirit that indwelt in Jesus as the Holy Spirit (Ghost) living in and through His people. "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). The man no, but rather the Spirit, Jesus Christ as Lord was not, and is not, susceptible to any of these threatening issues. When He is allowed to express His Life in and through us, each of us finds all that we need all of the time.This astounding statement is true, because "Christ is all and in all" (Colossians 3:11)."
This has been edited by me somewhat for clearity of both meaning and purpose. Moving on to our subject of our being tempted. I will continue with the ESV Bible translation.
To the Tempted:
In Christ we have Power to Tread on evil forces:
Luke 10:17-20, 21-22 "The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" To this He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
In that same hour He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, LORD of heaven and earth, that YOU have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was Your gracious will. All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows Who the Son is except the Father, or Who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal HIM."
Safety through Christ's Intercession:
Luke 22:28-30, 31-34 "You are those who have stayed with Me in My trials, and I assign to you, as My Father assigned to Me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Peter said to Him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death." Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know Me."
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