A way of escape

I just heard a message the other day on 1 Corinthians 10:13...good message and very targeted illustrations. I thought I'd give a few thoughts as well.

When you look at 1 Corinthians 10 you'll notice Paul making reference to Israel coming out of captivity and into the wilderness (with the ultimate goal of the Promised Land). While in the wilderness, Paul draws our attention to some pretty rough times for Israel. In fact, 10:6 says "now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved." Paul is about to give us some highlight (or low lights) in hopes we will not repeat history! Remember, they were in the wilderness and even after seeing incredible miracles were confused, stressed out, unsure of their future and more. Israel turned away from dependence on God and turned to idols (something they could see and touch which actually gave them a false sense of control). Bad decision that led to all sorts of issues and temptations including immorality, complaining and even putting God to the test! Verse 12 warns us to be careful and alert lest we fall (sometimes when we think everything is going our way the bottom can drop out along with our faith). Fall into what you might ask? Well, perhaps fall into the same lack of dependence on Christ when circumstances begin spinning out of our control! After that warning from Paul we come to 1 Corinthians 10:13.

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NAS95S)

First, the word temptation..."peirasmo".

3986. peirasmo/ß peirasmos, pi-ras-mos´; from 3985; a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity: — temptation, x try. [Strong's Exhaustive Concordance]

Trials and temptation go hand in hand (Temptation may not always involve a specific trial or adversity but trials and adversity always bring with them some type of temptation). Temptation is the internal struggle to trust God and His way or me and my way...the "trial" is the external circumstances influencing that internal struggle. "Peirasmo" is translated both "temptation" and "trial" or "test" so the context drives our understanding of the word. In 1 Corinthians 10 the context involves trials and the corresponding temptations.

Adversity in our life offers unique opportunities for temptation. Israel was going though some tough times and yielded to temptation in turning away from their complete dependence on God. In verse 13 I believe the Lord is telling us that similar trials and the corresponding temptations we experience have been faced by others ("common to man"), just like in Israel (wandering in the wilderness, uncertainty, lack of control, where will I get my next meal, et. al.). The driving point of 10:13 is the fact that through it all,

GOD IS FAITHFUL

Israel was blinded to the fact of God's faithfulness (we get that way too, especially when we focus on everything that's going wrong). We can be comforted, however, that God is sovereign over the trials of life and does provide a "way of escape" so we can endure them. Now, does God allow things in our life we believe are unbearable that eventually break us?...absolutely! Brokenness in depending on ourself will drive us to trust HIm as our very Life...that is the plan! The Israelites felt trapped with no where to turn...perhaps you feel that way as well (don't worry, remember, it's common to all of us). What do we learn from Israel? Don't fall into the same temptation; remember that God is faithful. The over arching temptation here is trusting yourself or others vs. God; the "way of escape" is not just the end of the trial but also the solution "so that you will be able to endure it". What is the solution or "way of escape" for me to endure the trials in my life? Well, the strategy in every temptation and the solution to endure any trial IS our faithful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Himself! When we turn our attention, trust, faith to Christ we are entering into His victory through the cross and He will endure the trials and adversity through us. It is a faith transaction with our faithful God; He promises to provide "a way of escape" no matter how unbearable it feels...our job is to trust His faithfulness and grace through the trial.

Remember, Paul understands this from personal experience. Paul had a major illness he described as a "thorn in the flesh" (2 Cor. 12:7-10)...many believe he had severe problems with his eyes. Paul asked God to heal him as we all would in that situation. God instead gave him another way of escape...His grace. Paul could endure because God's grace is sufficient. Christ has already overcome trials and temptation in this life, we simply need to rest in His grace as Paul did and enter into Christ's victory by faith. When we scheme and try and devise our own escape routes from various trials, we often wind up in a worse or more complicated predicament.

You endure the trial and/or adversity and experience victory over the unique temptations that come with it through dependence on our victorious Christ.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1:2-3 NAS95S).

Now, in terms of some practical examples, remember that you're not the odd man out in terms of problems:

If your marriage is in trouble, God is still faithful; don't think you're the only one going through this type of trial.
If you're out of work or your career is going nowhere, God is still faithful and many are in the same boat as you are.
If your finances are going south and you just don't know what to do, God is still faithful.

Each one of the above circumstances or trials will have unique temptations that come with the territory and are all "common to man". It's possible that any of the above or many others I could mention will seemingly bring you to the end of your rope and feel like they are more than you can bear...that's OK, the faster the better. Once you let go of your rope and trust your loving Savior Who is always faithful, you have found the "way of escape" to endure it "in Christ"...His Life working in and through you in the midst of the trial. Since HE is "[providing] the way of escape", why not trust the Provider vs. going your own way; His grace is ALWAYS sufficient no matter what happens.

Trials and adversity hurt, there's no question about that. Trusting Christ in the midst of difficulty and hardship is not easy (just look around in your average church if you don't believe me). As 1 Corinthians 10:14 reminds us, “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” Depending on anything or anyone else is what got Israel in trouble...let's learn from their mistake and trust Christ no matter what the circumstance. Always remember...He is faithful.

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“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28 NAS95S)

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1Pet 5:6-7 NAS95S)

“but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1Cor 15:57 NAS95S)

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." (1John 5:4 NAS95S)
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