PODCAST
Escape or Endure?
September 27th, 2012
RG AUDIO 092712
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
The key to 1 Corinthians 10:13 is often misquoted, saying “God will not put anything on us that we cannot bear.” That is a half-truth. Trials and temptations are part of our human experience. We live in a world tainted by sin because of choices that Eve and Adam made. Both good and bad things happen to all of us, sinner and saint alike.
Three principles influence our circumstances. First, “God is faithful.” Second, “when you are tempted,” since all of us will face temptation. Third, “he [God] will also provide . . .” In the midst of our human experiences, consider your situation, then remember God’s solution. God will do one of two things: allow you to escape or support you to endure.
Most of us prefer escape to endurance. William James writes, “Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.” In the face of temptation or trial, have you caught your second wind?
September 27th, 2012 at 5:34 am
Victory is in Jesus!
Endurance (because of HIS Promises)
— 1 Corinthians 10:13
Joy (because we truly believe in Him)
–1 Peter 1:8
Hope (because of the truth
seen in the Holy Bible) –- Romans 15:4
Persistence (due to the love within our heart)
— James 1:12
Righteousness (due to keeping the faith, fighting
the good fight and running the race)
— 2 Timothy 4:8
Trust (because we see a purpose to the trials)
— James 1:12
Glory (for being an example to the flock)
— 1 Peter 5:4
Life (because of belief in the Son) — John 3:36
September 28th, 2012 at 11:29 am
Please tell me that the first paragraph was a typo, mistake, even a boo-boo would be accepted! “…saying “God will not put anything on us that we cannot bear.” That is a half-truth.”… really? What is the whole truth?
I send this devotional out everyday to my email savvy congregation. I had to edit this. I don’t believe saying “God will not put anything on us that we cannot bear.” is a half-truth!!! Many of my pastoral colleagues feel the same way about this statement. I surveyed their opinion before contacting you.
We have lost the quality of this devotional. We don’t know who writes them, there are multiple misspellings and typos every week and the doctrinal content has been seriously in question more than once.
This devotional also automatically appears in a dynamic feed to my church website. Too late to fix that.
Please revise this daily devotional process or discontinue.
Rev. Carlos A. Lonberger I
Pastor,
Mansfield Community Church of the Nazarene
September 28th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
Brother Lonberger,
Thank you for your comment about the September 27th Reflecting God devotional. Unfortunately the online version does not allow for the daily key verse to be displayed along with the devotional (as it is in the print version).. The full verse is: ” No temptation[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). The author was observing that people often paraphrase part of the verse as “God will not put anything on us that we cannot bear.” The half-truth referred to is that paraphrase only relates part of the verse’s meaning. Further, the verse is about temptation not necessarily all “trials.” The full truth is that God will not allow his children to be tempted above what they can bear, but WHEN THEY ARE TEMPTED [my emphasis] He will provide a way out so that they can endure it. The writer goes on to explain that what God doesn’t allow us to escape he will give us grace to endure. It would be a half truth to emphasize the escape with the endurance.
I am sorry you were disappointed with this devotional and promise you that we remain committed to delivering biblically sound daily devotionals for God’s people. If you or any one else has any comment or question about our devotionals don’t hesitate to contact me: dcbrush@wordaction.com or call 1-877-386-0882, M-F 8-4:30 CT.
May God continue to bless and guide you as you serve Him,
Duane Brush