In the ancient schools of Greek culture, teachers
would often instruct their classes on any particular subject by first explaining
what it is not, before explaining what it is.
In this five-part series, we have examined the lives
of Samson, Samuel, and the kings of Israel, Saul and Solomon. Much of what we have
examined in the lives of these men relates to what we should not do in our walks with the LORD to ensure we don’t stumble
and fall from our steadfastness in Christ (2
PET 3:17).
We may learn much by negative examples, learning from
the mistakes of others and establish parameters and guard against committing
such things ourselves. In addition to our spiritual education, we also learn by
the positive examples as outlined in Scripture: we can look at the lives of
Joseph and Daniel, Samuel and Elijah, as well as Peter and John, Paul and
Timothy. However, we will focus on the quintessential and supreme example that’s
set for us, the LORD Jesus Christ, the Savior!
HEBREWS
12:2
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
In each of these previous examples we learned that
the core of the problems of Samson, Samuel, Saul and Solomon in falling from their
right standing before God was, to one degree or another, because of their love of self. Simply, they
wanted what they wanted, despite how it would affect others or even their own
relationship with God. Regardless of the consequences, they acquired that which
God says is sin.
Among these men were those who also abused the position, powers and privileges that they
were graciously granted by God, and proved to be unfaithful stewards of such.
This is in stark contrast with the LORD Jesus Christ
who didn’t fulfill His own will, but the Father’s will; He always did those
things that pleased the Father (JOHN 5:30;
8:28-29), and was well-pleasing to Him (MATT 3:17; 26:42) in that Christ offered up His Holy and Righteous Self
on the cross, dying for the sins of others (JOHN 10:17-18):
PHILIPPIANS
2:5-11
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
His position was and is far loftier than any held by
Samson, Saul and Solomon – higher by far even than the heavens are above the
earth; yet He demonstrated the supreme example of humility and humbleness. Meekness in its greatest example, demonstrating true greatness.
For your edification here is a three-part article on:
If we live out the two greatest commandments by the
enabling Spirit of grace, we can ensure that we will not stumble into sin, but bear
in mind that this practice is a life long process in our sanctification in Christ:
MATTHEW
22:37-40
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
One would be correct in pointing out that Jesus of
Nazareth is God made flesh, fully God as well as fully man – how can we
possibly walk in such perfection as He Himself did? We know that we won’t ever
achieve sinless perfection in a practical sense (though positionally speaking, God the Father sees us
perfectly sinless due to the imputation of the righteousness of Christ on our
behalf).
While still in this world, our sinful nature yet
remains with us (GAL 5:19-20; 1 JOHN
1:8; ROM 8:22-23), but we also know that any true saint of God, anyone who
is genuinely born again of God’s Spirit cannot and will not make a habitual
practice of sin in a lifestyle of compromised corruption:
1
JOHN 3:7-10
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
The Greek word for “commit/committeth” is poieo, and it means, among many things,
“to keep, to continue, to fulfill” and so the idea here is not in committing an
isolated incidence of a singular sin but in the continuing to sin, in keeping sin (and not forsaking or confessing
it).
This does not negate the fact that we as Christians will at times commit a
sin, because 1 JOHN 1:8-9 tells us
that anyone who says that they do not have sin (that is, a capacity for sin due
to a sin nature which we are admonished to crucify [the flesh]; GAL 5:24; ROM 7:18-25; 8:13) is
deceived.
The other aspect of this truth likewise considers the
dual nature of the Christian; there is the fleshly nature of fallen Adam that
remains with us still since the time of our physical birth, and there is the
godly nature granted to us by being born of the Spirit of God (and these two
are continuously at war with each other according to GAL 5:16-17). We know that when we commit a sin, it is the flesh –
our carnal, sinful nature that does this, but that which is born of the Spirit
of God, that divine nature that is in us because of Christ’s redemption (2 PET 1:4) is incapable of committing
sin:
1
JOHN 3:9
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Now as we look at the life of JESUS our precious LORD
and Savior, we see in perfect form the kind of life we are growing towards and
aspiring to. Again, this is what sanctification is all about (read the article linked above "our sanctification in Christ"): it’s growing to
become more like JESUS. When we read about the life of Christ, don’t be
discouraged and think, “I’ll never get there!”
The LORD has promised, that for those who will
surrender, yield to Him, allow His Spirit to work and be intent in crucifying
the flesh, that He will complete the work that He Himself started!
PHILIPPIANS
1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
So with all of that said, let’s witness the life of
the Son of God, our Savior Who never, ever stumbled into a singular sin (HEB 4:15; 1 PET 1:19), but Whose
perfect walk before the Father was a flawless one!
The marvelous miracle that is the Nativity – where the WORD was made flesh and dwelt among us (JOHN 1:14) – was the start of life for Jesus, God the Son, Who, is
also the Son of Man – and we beheld His glory, both then at the time of His
earthly life and today, as we read the testimony of Scripture in His regard.
Additionally, we behold His glory as we see Him at work in the saints,
conforming them into His image (ROM 8:29).
In the time of His earthly life, people beheld this
unusual, remarkable Child and we read in LUKE’s Gospel that. . .
LUKE
2:40, 52
40 . . . the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
40 . . . the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
He was raised by poor but godly parents; and while
it’s uncertain whether or not He recognized Who He Himself was at an earlier
age, it’s evident that He knew by the time He was twelve years old, for it was
at His bar mitzvah (“son of the
commandment”) that He spoke of His “Father’s business” (LUKE 2:49) – and it wasn’t in
Joseph’s carpentry shop!
It was at that time when His family (not only Joseph,
Mary and His siblings, but extended family that traveled caravan style) was
returning to Nazareth from Jerusalem that they realized Jesus was not among
them, which sent His folk into a panic
(LUKE 2:48).
Mary rebukes her Son for making them worry so, and
that’s when the LORD states that He must be about His Father’s business –
however, as it states, in vs. 51, He submitted to His parents and traveled back
to Nazareth.
Think of that – God made flesh, submitting to His
earthly parents: this shows integrity and humility, truthfulness and humbleness
– essential for walking without stumbling. This was further demonstrated when
the LORD of Glory submitted to John the Baptist for His water baptism (even
while the Baptist protested; MATT 3:14).
It was the LORD’s expressed intention:
MATTHEW 3:15
15 . . . Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
15 . . . Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
It was “immediately” after this that the Spirit of the
LORD led Him into the wilderness – where He fasted and prayed for 40 days (a
fast lasting this long will bring a body to the brink of physical starvation).
During this time, at His physically weakest, the enemy came and tested Him, tempting Him with His necessary food (JOB 23:12), but He declined, being obedient to the Father and receiving sustenance of greater nourishment (JOHN 4:34).
He tempted Him with displaying His power as God made flesh that would (supposedly) yield the desired response of His reception in Israel as the Messiah. Yet He rejected this temptation as well. Satan then pulled out his ‘ace in the hole’ and offered Him all of the kingdoms of the world.
He was destined to rule the nations, but not by the
invitation of the god of this world (2
COR 4:4), but rather the way that the Father planned: the LORD Jesus would
receive His crown by way of the cross; and this He knew! It was a serious
temptation to avoid the cross and go ‘the easy way’. This is the tactic that
the enemy often employs with us, appealing to our carnality: to have mercy upon
ourselves, to take the easier path. He will sympathize us straight into sin if
we heed his seductive words!
Still, our LORD stayed the course to the cross, from there to the carven tomb, to the clouds above and on the Day appointed, receive His crown. In each of these three temptations, rather than using
His Almighty spoken Word and send Satan spiraling across the universe, He
simply quoted Scripture – all of them from Deuteronomy, interestingly enough (DEUT. 8:3; 6:16,13).
What an example to us! He fought Satan, not in a way
that only He could (by His personal
power as God) but through the same means we are able to fight him, with the
Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (EPH 6:17)! So, we who are indwelt by the Spirit of God, and
likewise armed with the Scriptures can also do battle victoriously against the
enemy of the church.
The LORD Jesus was not a procrastinator – He was, as
we say sometimes of people, “a man on a mission” and He wasted no time. He
immediately entered into ministry once He was anointed, tested and prevailed.
He declares the truth about Himself in perfect
humility (that He is in fact, the anointed one of YHWH, aka the Messiah (LUKE 4:18-21). Yet He refused to back
down when those who heard Him found offense with His claim.
In fact, He engaged them in truth when He spoke about
Gentiles who expressed faith in the LORD and were favored of the LORD, even
when Israel was under chastisement.
His meaning was obvious – that unless these Jews who heard Him likewise expressed faith in the LORD (Himself) that they too would be chastened and not favored. As it was, they were that offended, that they attempted to drive Him over a cliff (LUKE 4:23-29)!
His meaning was obvious – that unless these Jews who heard Him likewise expressed faith in the LORD (Himself) that they too would be chastened and not favored. As it was, they were that offended, that they attempted to drive Him over a cliff (LUKE 4:23-29)!
The LORD was never one who allowed public opinion to
sway Him: those who allow themselves to be so influenced are in danger of
stumbling in their walk. Saul succumbed to peer pressure, and in some sense, so
did Solomon. Yet here we see the LORD ‘calling a spade, a spade.’:
MATTHEW
15:8-14
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: 11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. 12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? 13 But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
The LORD was always seeking the Father in prayer,
often long before morning as well as early evening:
MARK
1:35:
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed (See also MARK 6:46).
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed (See also MARK 6:46).
Instances where the LORD took time out for prayer: MATT 14:23; 17:21; 19:13; 26:36-39,42,44; LUKE 9:28-29; 11:1; 22:32; JOHN 14:16; 17:9,15,20; HEB 5:7.
What may be learned by such a devoted prayer life
other than the fact that such a life is guarded from the pitfalls of temptation
and stumbling, even as our LORD had admonished His disciples:
MATTHEW
26:40-41
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
The flesh will hate any devotion in prayer, for prayer
is the solicitation for grace and mercy in time of need (HEB 4:16), and the sinfulness of our rebellious flesh despises such
solicitation due to pride and self-sufficient independence. It will resent the
truth that: “Apart from Me, you can do nothing” JOHN 15:5.
So, we have seen that our LORD respected the authority
of others over Him – namely His parents when He was a child. No doubt teachers
He had while growing up in synagogue as well.
However He reverenced the LORD God in all things, growing in the admonition and wisdom of the LORD (LUKE 2:52).
We likewise have seen that He has the highest regard for the Scriptures, resorting to them to prove His own identity to His people (JOHN 5:39) as well as His weapon of choice against the enemy – when He could have displayed and used His power as Deity to both.
The first thing He does when His disciples witnessed Him in His resurrected state was to give them a Bible study from the Old Testament Scriptures to authenticate His life’s ministry!
However He reverenced the LORD God in all things, growing in the admonition and wisdom of the LORD (LUKE 2:52).
We likewise have seen that He has the highest regard for the Scriptures, resorting to them to prove His own identity to His people (JOHN 5:39) as well as His weapon of choice against the enemy – when He could have displayed and used His power as Deity to both.
The first thing He does when His disciples witnessed Him in His resurrected state was to give them a Bible study from the Old Testament Scriptures to authenticate His life’s ministry!
LUKE
24:44-48
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
He as an obedient Son, submitted to the will of God the Father (HEB 5:8), and sought Him continuously in prayer. He modeled godly conduct in seeking His Father’s will rather than His own (JOHN 5:30), even when it cost Him His life!
His love for others was unquestioned and abundantly evident – never did He conduct Himself in a selfish, self-centered manner (as did Samson, Saul and Solomon). See JOHN 15:10 (These three links will bring you to each of the three preceding studies in this series of "Walking Without Stumbling").
A study of agape
love as found in 1 COR 13:4-8 (see the
list below) is a character profile of the LORD Jesus Christ (and is central to
all we do as His disciples, without such love, all that is done in the name of
Christ is worthless (see 1 COR 13:1-3)):
~ vs. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind – JOHN 19:18, 26-27; LUKE 23:34.
~ charity envieth not – PSALM 22:5-6.
~ charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up - ISAIAH 42:2; ZECH 9:9; MATT 11:29
~ vs. 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly – MATT 4:5-7.
~ seeketh not her own – JOHN 5:30; MATT 26:39.
~ is not easily provoked – JOHN 11:33; 2:15. (Note: in this instance where the LORD drove the
money changers out of the Temple, He first fashioned a scourge of small cords,
which took some time to weave together – this was not a fit of ill-temper, but
anger under strict control – (“not easily
provoked”)
~ thinketh no evil – 1 PET 1:19; JOHN 8:46.
~ vs. 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity – MATT 7:23
~ but rejoiceth in the truth – LUKE 10:21
~ vs. 7 Beareth all things – LUKE 9:41
~ believeth all things – HEB 10:7
~ hopeth all things – JOHN 8:29
~ endureth all things – HEB 12:2
~ vs. 8 Charity never faileth – HEB 13:5
In
Summary:
We likewise must learn to be subject to authority
where ever God has placed them over us (COL
3:20; TITUS 3:1).
We must cultivate a reverence for the LORD our God and Father, esteeming Him above all others (ROM 15:6).
Likewise we are to be able disciples of the Word, and be obedient to the Scripture’s revelation of God’s will for our lives (ROM 6:16-17; PHIL 2:12).
In addition to reverence, we must also learn obedience to God in all things, because it means dying to self (via the Cross of Christ) and allowing the life of Christ to manifest in us, to the glory of the Father (EPH 4:21-32).
Our prayer life should reflect the same character and commitment as Christ Jesus’ devotion (1 THESS 5:17).
Our love one for another is another vital attribute as His disciples (JOHN 13:34-35).
We must cultivate a reverence for the LORD our God and Father, esteeming Him above all others (ROM 15:6).
Likewise we are to be able disciples of the Word, and be obedient to the Scripture’s revelation of God’s will for our lives (ROM 6:16-17; PHIL 2:12).
In addition to reverence, we must also learn obedience to God in all things, because it means dying to self (via the Cross of Christ) and allowing the life of Christ to manifest in us, to the glory of the Father (EPH 4:21-32).
Our prayer life should reflect the same character and commitment as Christ Jesus’ devotion (1 THESS 5:17).
Our love one for another is another vital attribute as His disciples (JOHN 13:34-35).
If we follow the LORD Jesus – that is, “walk [and “live
in”] in the Spirit” (GAL 5:16,25) then
we shall indeed walk without stumbling and grow in the grace and the knowledge
of the LORD Jesus Christ!
2
PETER 3:17-18
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.
This concludes this five-part series! May the LORD Jesus Christ continue to bless and keep you in His grace and truth!
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