No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
I have been chewing on this verse and its context from 1 Corinthians 10 for quite a few weeks. Lent is a season of discipline, a season of repentance. In many ways I am very disciplined. I must be, in order to get done the things necessary for my life and work. But I am always amazed at how often I just do whatever seems easy. I am a person of habit more than discipline. Finding discipline to break old habits is far easier said than done.
More often than not, I follow old habits. I take the path of least resistance. I give in to whatever is easy and pleasing. When it comes to sinful habits, the forgiveness of Christ, and our Christian freedom, it easily becomes license to walk freely in sin.
With my sinful nature, how can Paul say that God will not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear?
In the context of 1 Corinthians 10, Paul uses the patterns of Old Testament Israel to illustrate the challenge of temptation and our readiness to give in. Israel is freed from Egypt. God brings them through the Red Sea. He destroys their enemy, Pharoah’s pursuing army. He feeds and waters them in the wilderness.
These events mirror your Christian walk. The Spirit enabled Paul to see Christ in those events. His blood was on their doorposts. He was the cloud, sea, and rock that gushed forth life-giving water. He was the manna from heaven. His presence gave them faith, leading them through the wilderness and into the promised land. And yet they pursued their old gods, followed old habits, and sought the easy way.
If that was the result for them, how much more for those who have seen the fulfillment of the obedient life, sacrificial death, and life-giving resurrection of Jesus?
For us, like wandering Israel, idolatry, immorality, and grumbling are one ditch we veer into. Arrogance and self-righteousness is the other. Consistently it seems that temptation is more than I can bear…that is, of course, if I am the one trying to carry it.
Lent reminds us that we journey to the cross. Repentance and renewal in Lent means to stop walking on our own. This is not about your faith or your discipline. To walk in faith is to walk in Christ. Paul reminds you that God is faithful. Jesus is the one who bears your temptation and sin. The Holy Spirit is the one who empowers your sanctification. Jesus alone lived the obedient life. Jesus alone was the perfect disciple.
We don’t practice discipline and repentance in Lent to avoid God’s wrath. God’s justice and mercy met on the cross as the blood of the Good Shepherd was poured out for the sheep. Jesus’ perfect obedience is His gift to you.
You still wrestle with sinful habits. You still covet the easy path. You still struggle with self-righteous pride. But you have been made new in Christ. The old has gone. The new has come. Christ in you. Christ with you. Christ through you. God is faithful—He will not let you be tempted beyond what you (in Christ) can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out (Jesus) so that you can endure it.
In Christ,
Rev. Richard Snow, President, Nebraska District LCMS
Originally printed in the March 2022 Nebraska District Reporter