Are you a zombie fanatic? Do you watch The Walking Dead? I don’t watch The Walking Dead, but I am a zombie fan. I enjoy watching World War Z and I Am Legend. People are terrified, zombies are everywhere, there on the run, and it seems all the characters on all these shows deal with differing emotional issues as they are trying to achieve a common goal – survival. Desperate measures are being taken, people doing things they’d never imagined themselves doing to stay alive, its utter chaos. Can you imagine if that were reality? That would be nuts. After watching zombie flics for a while you begin to realize they’re more like real life than we care to admit. We’re all going through something aren’t we? True, you may not be fighting zombies like other people, but at times, our struggles can feel just as life threatening can’t they? Whatever you’ve gotten yourself into, it’s in these moments of life we forget certain realities that could strengthen, embolden, and deepen our resolve to live bold for the glory of God and be unwavering in our commitment to Christ.
We’re going to be lingering in one verse all week. The verse is 1 Corinthians 10:13 and before getting into I must make one comment about it. I still remember the first time I read this verse. There was so much in it that fed my soul that I had never known before; it seemed to strengthen my bones to endure temptation rather than giving in. It seemed to give me ballast in my feet, and it was so nice to feel empowered by God to withstand the Devil’s allurements. I’m sure some of you have felt the same way after reading or studying this verse. You’ve found great joy in persevering through temptation by the truths laid down for us here and learned the great promise that every temptation seems to blind us to, “Jesus is better, He is always better.”
But I’m aware that there are some of you, who not only struggle with temptation but are so used to giving into temptation that you’ve forgotten what it once was to fight it. When temptation comes and opens the door, luring you out of godliness and holiness into immorality and unrighteousness, you don’t stand your ground but leap through the door to take hold of the so called “prize.” What happens when you’ve got what Satan promised? You realize the old maxim is true, “not all that glitters is gold.” You’ve got your prize, and feel rotten to core of your being. When it happens you feel like Gollum with the Ring, consumed with your “precious” and feel deep inside a layer of hardness come over your heart.
Whoever you are, the one who stands through temptation or the one who gives in, I’m glad you’re reading. We all have been victorious at times and we all have jumped into sin with both feet at times – therefore we all have need to endure. Jesus said in Matthew 24:13, “He who endures to the end will be saved.” 1 Cor. 10:12 says, “Let anyone who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” After rejoicing in the Lamb who was slain for sinners, the Apostle John cries out in response calling us to stand firm in Revelation 13:10 saying, “Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.” So friends, stand we must. Anyone can start a race, but we must finish it. Well, in 1 Corinthians 10:13 we do indeed have strong encouragement. Hear the Word of God, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is 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.”
The Publicans 