Thursday 21 February 2008

Take heed

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. – 1 Corinthians 10v12

To my mind Paul expands his message in chapter 10. He uses the opportunity while speaking of the perils of sin to remind his readers of the Old Testament examples. Though they had the Rock, the pre-incarnate Christ, they still fell into lust, idolatry, committed sexual immorality, tempted Christ, and complained.

So we are warned, if these things could happen to God’s people who had the pre-incarnate Christ at their Shield, Rock, Protector, and Sustainer they can surely happen to us who know Him as our Saviour.

I think, judging from this comment, that the greatest dangers in falling into sin are pride, overconfidence, and arrogance. If we ever begin to think that we are safe, okay, and protected from sin then we run the risk of falling. This list of sins is not inclusive, but it is telling. Have we overcome lust? Have we overcome idolatry? Have we over come leanings toward sexual immorality? Have we overcome testing Christ to our standards? Have we overcome complaining?

The list, of course could go on and on, but Paul has made his point. If we even begin to think we have a standing tall and proud we had better be careful. Unless we learn to depend on the Rock, we too will fall.

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