Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Fall & its consequence
1 Corinthians 10: 1-13
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”(V.12)

This section is titled Warnings from Israel’s History, but it need not be seen as purely something applied only to the Israelite s.  This passage could be applied to all believers, or be re-titled warning to the church.  Paul begins by describing the Israelite history from when they left Egypt and how God provided for them and how the Israelite s time after time doubted and complained and time after time God provided a way for them to overcome issues they face.   The interesting point of verses 1-4 is that they experienced God’s providence first hand but they continued to reject him, and most importantly, they had fellowship with God ,  “They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink”, and then verse 5 says “Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them”. 
This is a warning for all of us,  as we go to church every Sunday, learn all the right things, do all the right things, attend prayer meetings and conferences and even partake in Holy Communion, eating and drinking the spiritual food and drink, but even then if we do not have that personal relationship with God, then He would not be pleased with us.   That personal relationship will be what helps us when we are tempted.  Everyone can and will be tempted, there is nobody above temptation, and any temptation you and I have experienced has been experienced by all of mankind.  So are we all doomed to fail, or is there hope.  Hebrews 4:15 gives us hope, because “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin”, so we know there is hope.  Jesus Christ was tempted and did not fail, and He gives us his Holy Spirit that helps us endure temptation. 
 
Prayer:  Lord, help us to overcome temptation every day.  Help us to seek you on a daily basis so we don’t fall.  Father we thank you that we have forgiveness even when we fall, and that you desired us before we were even perfect and you perfected us in your love.
Thought for the day: Temptation does not have to lead to sin.  God wants to help you stand firm.

Shibu Mathew, Epiphany MTC, New York

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