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. – 1 Corinthians 10:13
Have you ever felt that temptation is simply too great to withstand? That sin is just an inbuilt part of your nature– that you have no choice but to sin? I have felt this way before. But this verse says in contradistinction: God is faithful and will provide a way of escape. How can this be? Is God faithful or is God a liar?
Is God a liar? By no means! God can not lie!
The problem is not with God. The problem is us. If we give in to sin, we do not yet know God as we ought. We may know about God, but that is not the same as knowing God. Knowing God requires us to come humbly before Him, asking Him to reveal Himself to us as He is, as the Scriptures portray Him. God is merciful and abounding in love. Every good gift comes from Him. We see God’s goodness and faithfulness to us through Jesus Christ.
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? – Romans 8:32
If we do not know God as a faithful and gracious God, we need to wrestle with God and know Him as He really is. We need to meditate on the gospel. Of course, knowing God is a life long process. The following verse explains that the knowledge of God protects us from sin:
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence. – 2 Peter 1:3
And the amazing thing about this protective knowledge is that it is nothing I can selfishly boast about. God called me to this knowledge. I don’t deserve this knowledge. This knowledge is too wonderful for me. I have a responsibility to wrestle and know God. But he gets all the praise for my salvation and sanctification. There, but for the grace of God, go I.
