Letter To Our Children

Hello friends!

No one in this life will ever be safe from temptation. Temptation takes place at every age and stage in life. The older we get, the stronger it is. It may come to us in different ways, but it comes. Whether the same old ones dressed in new disguises or brand-new ones with a brand-new appeal-they come.

Temptation is a reality in this fallen world in our fallen bodies. It is unavoidable. There is nothing we can do that will stop them. But why?

First, we have an enemy who hates us. Before God’s grace saved us, the Bible tells us we were friends with the devil. (Ephesians 2:1-3) At our conversion, we became friends with God and an enemy of the devil. (Enemies with God’s great enemy.) Since the evil one cannot stop God from saving His people, he can bring all his efforts, namely temptation- to lay down on us as soon as we belong to Christ.

Second, when God saves us, sin is no longer our master. However, sin continues to come to us in a war-like fashion—temptation being its greatest weapon.

Therefore, we will be tempted by the world, either by the good things or the bad things. Both will be presented as more valued and needed than Christ. We also will be tempted by our flesh. That is our old sinful nature which is dead but still lingers. Sin no longer reigns but remains is how the puritans would describe this.

Make no mistake these temptations are strong, really strong; however, they do not have the power to make us sin or choose to sin.  We can be offered the world, but no temptation, from the world, the flesh, or the devil, has the power to make us say, yes, to the wrong things, and no to the right things.

So do not be afraid of temptations. Do not think you are terrible because you have them. Everyone is tempted. Do not be self-satisfied or self-righteous about the temptations you will face or overcome. The victory, your victory, has already been declared.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

1 John 4:4

The war is over, and victory is guaranteed. The battle still goes on, but the outcome is not in doubt. Christ is the one who is in you. His perfect gift of righteousness is yours by faith in Him, not by some work in you.

We may be tempted to think we have obeyed all that God requires when we focus only on a few of those requirements we are good at, but there are more than a few. Jesus is the only one who has obeyed them all perfectly and perpetually. And that is our great comfort in the ongoing battle with sin. His power in us is powerful enough to fight temptations, and His death is powerful enough for God to forgive us.

Take heart, my friends!  The good news is really good news.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me

Before the Throne of God Above- Second Verse.

May God bless you as you keep these things in mind.

Pastor Joe