The Way of Escape

If you come to Scripture looking for words of comfort and affirmation and reassurance, you’ll find them, for sure.  But if your eyes are wide open, you’ll also see other kinds of good words:  messages of warning and correction and rebuke.  And that’s because God loves us.

Take 1 Corinthians 10.  Verse 13 is a “famous” promise:  “No tempta­tion has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” It’s a word of encour­agement:  yes, temptations do arise, but God will be with us and he’ll orchestrate things so that we will not be compelled to sin against him.

How does he do this?  Not by grabbing us by the collar and yanking us away every time we feel the pull of some sinful act.  Not by wrapping us up in spiritual cellophane so that the appeal of Satan’s enticements simply can’t touch us.  And not by eradicating our passions and long­ings.  Instead, he cares for us by providing a “way of escape,” an exit.

And in order to motivate us to take that exit, and to help us see the dreadful seriousness of failing to follow his way of escape, the Father brackets his promise in v 13 with sharp warnings in vv 12 and 14.  Verse 12, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” And v 14, “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.”

These are strong words, and stern.  “Take heed” means “Watch out!”  We may not welcome warnings and commands—it’s humbling; our hearts are spring-loaded toward pride.  But again, God speaks this way out of love.  In v 14 Paul says, “My beloved”—like a devoted parent who knows the children need their medicine, even if it tastes bad.  God disciplines us because he loves us (Hebrews 12:5-11).

Don’t miss the link between v 13 and v 14:  Because God provides the exit from temptation, run for it! FLEE from sin.  Don’t assume that, because God provides a way of escape, you’ll just naturally tilt and tumble right into it.  What is God’s way of escape?  It’s you running!  Not you lingering or lounging or sauntering about or contemplating the merits of obeying Christ:  it’s you running.

So, how is the Enemy tempting you to dishonor Jesus?  Flee!  Now.