THE WAY OF ESCAPE




 THE WAY OF ESCAPE

 

 

Why is it that human beings are always looking for a way of escape?

 

Whether it be from our job… our circumstances… our financial situation… 

 

… our life…

 

We seem to be always looking for a way out…

Deliverance…

Someone or something to get us out of whatever we are in…

… a SAVIOR!

 

 

1Cor10:12-13

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 

 No TEMPTATION has overtaken you except such as is common to man; 

but God is faithful, 

who will not allow you to be TEMPTED beyond what you are able, 

but with the TEMPTATION will also make 

THE WAY OF ESCAPE,

that you may be able to bear it.

 

 

Jesus is quoted in Matthew, Mark and Luke, saying,

“Watch and pray, that you enter not into TEMPTATION :

the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

(Mtt26:41;Lk22:40-46;Mk14:38)

 

 

 

TEMPTATION:

an experiment, a trial, temptation…  a testing or proving, probation, being tried by calamity, affliction, or adversity

 

 

Lk8:11-13 

“Now the parable is this: 

The seed is the word of God. 

Those by the way side are they that hear; 

then cometh the devil, 

and taketh away the word out of their hearts, 

lest they should believe and be saved. 

They on the rock [stoney ground] are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; 

and these have no root, 

which for a while believe, 

and in time of TEMPTATION fall away.”

 

 

Mk4:14,17 states it a little differently:

“…And (the stoney ground) have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, 

when AFFLICTION OR PERSECUTION ARISES 

FOR THE WORD’S SAKE, 

immediately they are OFFENDED”.

 

 

“Offended” is translated from the Greek word, 
skandalizontai (From skandalon)

 

It is a word picture showing “to put a snare (in the way) [a stick for bait (of a trap)].  hence to cause to stumble, to give offense”.

 

 

So… what is the “TEMPTATION” that is like the bait on the edge of a snare ready to entrap us?

 

 

The same as the very first one in the Garden of Eden…

“HAS GOD SAID?”

 

 

All of the affliction, persecution… TEMPTATION… arises

FOR THE WORD’S SAKE! (Mk4:14-17)

 

 

Heb3:7-14 

“…To day if you will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts… as in the day of TEMPTATION in the wilderness…

 …For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

 

 

Jas1:2-4 

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers TEMPTATIONS…

Knowing this, 

that the trying of your faith works patience.(constant, cheerful consistency)

But let patience (constant, cheerful consistency) have her perfect work, 

that you may be perfect and entire, 

WANTING NOTHING!.

 

 

1Pet1:6-7,9 

“…greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold TEMPTATIONS: 

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”

 

 

“…they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness

 shall REIGN IN LIFE by one, Jesus Christ.” (Rom5:17)

 

 

Ps110:1-2 

“…Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool

The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: 

RULE THOU

IN THE MIDST

of thine enemies.”

 

 

It doesn’t say to find the quickest ESCAPE route. 

 

 

RULE!

IN THE MIDST…

…Right in the middle of what is going on…

 

“…that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,

TO STAND!

STAND THEREFORE” (Eph6:13-14)

RULE!

REIGN…  IN LIFE

Because you are one in Christ Jesus

 

 

And…

“AS HE IS…(RIGHT NOW)

SO ARE WE…

IN THIS WORLD” (1Jn4:17)

 

 

So… HOW Do we ESCAPE the TEMPTATION…

and REIGN?

 

 

Our great forerunner and example, Jesus, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness “TO BE TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL” (Mk4:1-11)

 

His response?

 

THE WORD!

 

“IT IS WRITTEN…!”

 



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