The right kind of pleasure.

1 Thessalonians 4:3

"It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;"

Sex and immorality is now a common commodity in our society today. It's gone from underground into mainstream. You can find it on television, ads, and music. It's like traffic here in the Philippines. It's just everywhere.

Today at Cornerstone Community Baptist Church, 1 Thessalonians 4 is the lesson on Sunday school and focus of the sermon. And quite frankly, the men, especially the fathers at Sunday school were all too eager to answer the questions regarding sexual immorality. Everyone was just so engaged on the discussion. This just shows that it is really a common problem today, not just for unbelievers but for Christians as well.

Different opinions were raised throughout the course of the discussion. Some say that believers should be prudent when it comes to sexual sin. That we should avoid things or places that would trigger or even stoke the fires of our desires, cutting them of so to speak. All of them are correct in my opinion, but what caught my attention and served as a wake-up call was the one said by one of our deacons. He said that: "The problem is idolatry. We replace Jesus with something we think is much greater and put it on His throne which is rightfully for him in our hearts."

And I am guilty of this. I won't be a hypocrite. I am having problems with this kind of idolatry. But I'm constantly praying for God's grace to help me fight the temptation and face this sin head-on. And I do believe that many Christians, especially the male singles face this problem too. It's just a matter of admitting them and putting them on the light so it could be exposed.

But what was said in 1 Thessalonians 4:3 can help us. We should remember that we should live our lives as holy as possible for this is God's will for us. As said by our Pastor earlier today; "We are set apart, consecrated, and dedicated for His glory". We are called to live our lives to please God. To be holy for we are His people (Ephesians 5:3). We cannot please ourselves solely in earthly things, for that is idolatry (Romans 1:25). We should realize that Jesus Christ died on the cross because of all our sins. Sexual immorality included. If we really do believe in Him, we should act like one accordingly.

So instead of taking pleasure in sexually immoral things, why not take pleasure in serving God? Why not live "cleanly" for Him? It's not wrong to experience pleasure. But make sure it's the right kind of pleasure.

Reflect on this: Do you still fall on the pits of sexual immorality? Or are you currently on one? How does God help you to resist and avoid this problem?

Prayers: Dear Lord, thank you for revealing your will and for reminding us to live holy lives through 1 Thessalonians 4:3. I know that we all do tend to fall often to sexual immorality, but your grace for us sinners is very much sufficient. You still welcome us with open arms, given that we repent and ask for forgiveness.

Forgive me, Lord, if I always fall short in your glory. Forgive me for the sins that I committed. Always remind me that You are greater and Your love is much desirable and pleasurable compared to earthly things. Let me be always contented in you and you alone. Let me give my all to you because You give your all to me.

I pray for those who suffer the same problem that I have. I pray for the strength, prudence and will to face the sin of sexual immorality. I pray for those who are enticed and are strangled with the ropes sin. Cut them off, oh God. Let us all have confidence in putting our faith in your Son Jesus Christ. Always point us toward the cross, the place where your Son died and our sins were nailed. All glory be to you. Amen.

Apples of our life.

Hebrews 2:18

"For because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted."

Whenever I hear the word temptation, the image that instantly comes into my mind is an apple. Growing up as a kid, I thought the the apple was similar, if not, the fruit what Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Temptation can be of any form. It can be anything in this world that fall into anyone of these three categories: Attracting, Enticing, Alluring. From an obvious standpoint, it's everything that is pleasing to the senses. That's why Adam and Eve ate the apple. Because it seemed so good. So then, what's so bad about temptation?

Let us bear in mind that the reason why sin entered the world and what made us sinners is temptation. The devil used temptation to disguise what was sinful into a good thing. Temptation gave birth to sin. Sin gave birth to death. Since everyone of us are sinners, we are all dead. We are forever separated with God. We all fell short of His glory. And this "death" of ours is the primary reason why Jesus Christ had to die on the cross.

Hebrews 2:18 makes me think about the "apples" in my life. I still tend to go back on my tempting old habits. I still get enticed by things which seems pleasing to me, but not in the eyes of the Lord. As much as I want to run away, I always end up giving into it. And I have to admit, it's very hard for me to resist temptation. And that is the point.

We cannot resist temptation alone. But what was said in Hebrews 2:18 can be our guarantee that though it is hard, it is very much possible to resist it. This is through Jesus Christ. Note that even Jesus Christ was tempted (Matthew 4:1-11). But he had the strength and will to turn away from it.

When we're faced with temptation, we must not try to stand against it on our own. For this can be futile. What we can do is to turn from temptation to Jesus Christ. Remember, even He was tempted. So he can understand what we're going through. He is the only one who can help us resist the "apples" offered in our lives.

Reflect on this: What are the "apples" in your life? Do you freely accept them? Have your ever called out to the Lord to help you resist these delicious "apples"?

Prayer: Lord, today I am blessed by what was said in Hebrews 2:18. I felt secured that you offer us help when we are faced with temptation. I am reminded that even you were faced with this kind of struggle. But unlike me, you stood tall and turned away from it. It just shows that you are truly powerful and Holy God.

Help me, Oh merciful God, to resist the "apples" of my life. Forgive me for the times I gave in my Lord, for in those times, I trusted in my own strength. Which eventually lead me to sinning against you. Instead of indulging in them, let me enjoy your presence. Your love. Your Holiness. Let me be satisfied in you and you alone. Grant me the strength, Lord, through Christ, to overcome temptation together with you.

Let all the glory be to you my Lord! Amen.