1 Corinthians 10: 13 Paul tells us… ‘No temptation has overtaken you, except those things that are common to mankind. God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but will provide a way for you to escape so that you will be able to endure the temptation’. Paul is writing to the church at Corinth with a strong rebuke to their carnal and spiritually immature lifestyle; they are having difficulty in separating themselves from the pagan culture that has surrounded them for many years, more specifically their immoral behavior. 

Thinking forward… 1 Corinthians, chapter 10 is a blueprint for Christ-followers today; to walk faithfully according to God’s commands and avoid falling back into sin when the lure of temptation comes upon them. Paul begins his letter by recounting their spiritual heritage in Egypt, when the children of Israel experienced God’s miraculous rescue across the Red Sea, ate the manna, and saw God bring forth water from a rock. And through it all, they were protected by God’s presence in a cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Nevertheless, God was not well-pleased by many of them who continually disobeyed His Commands. Fortunately, as believers, we have their examples of what not to do for our generation. And, we also have access to the same spiritual resources, by the Grace and Mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… but only to those of us who have been saved by the Grace-of-God. Paul encourages us not to be Idolaters and not be impatient. Moses was up on the mountain for 40 days. During this time, those having a shallow Faith; instead of continuing to worship YAHWEH, succumbed to some of their leaders and began to worship a golden calf; they quickly forgot what God had accomplished for them.

People gravitate to Idolatry and worldly lifestyles, for it promises material possessions, relationships, careers, money, prestige, and status among their peers. Instead of depending upon God for their physical, spiritual, and financial needs, they choose to follow the world; thereby cutting off the power and the blessings that God has been offering; if they do not turn and repent, they will have signed away their eternal inheritance in exchange for a short-term fix that never lasts.    1 John 2: 16 says… “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life; these are not from the Father but from the world.”

Is there anything in your life, that you wouldn’t be willing to give up for an eternity with God and Christ?

Paul finishes with a reminder;

whatever we do in life, do so for the Glory-of-God.

                                               Nothing else will please Him.