LIVING
BY PRINCIPLES
When the Lord Jesus confronted the temptations of
Satan in the desert, after 40 days of fasting, he not only demonstrated his
resolution to fulfill his mission as the Saviour of humanity, but also left us
an example of the correct way of living as a Servant of God.
Jesus was subjected to every form of temptation a
human being can suffer. Although only three temptations are mentioned (Matthew
4; Luke 4), they were directed at the whole person of Jesus, his body, his
soul, and his spirit.
The temptation to turn stones into bread was
directed at his body. The temptation to throw himself off the pinnacle of the
temple and be held up by angels was directed at his soul. The temptation to
worship Satan in exchange for all the material glory in the world was directed
at his Spirit.
Every temptation that befalls us consists solely of
these three objectives. They are launched by the enemy to our bodily, psychic
and spiritual needs. Although these temptations take many different forms, they
basically consist of only these three types.
JESUS' RESPONSE
But Jesus did not respond to these temptations with
personal ideas, or impulses of the moment. He didn't answer in a doubtful way
or any hesitation. Responded according to universal principles, biblical
principles.
To each of the temptations, our Lord Jesus,
endorsing the importance of Scripture as a container of the Will of God before
personal reason or human traditions, He did not quote from its own occurrence,
nor from the Talmud or Midrash or other secular writing.
He responded by quoting:
Deuteronomy 8:3 to the temptation of the loaves.
Deuteronomy 6:16 to the temptation of the pinnacle.
Deuteronomy 6:13 to the temptation to worship the
devil.
JESUS responded
and lived his entire human life, based on the universal principles of
Scripture. His life is filled with stories of how he responded to Pharisees,
demons and disciples with Scripture.
(Luke 4:16-21; 4:8; 7:22; Isaiah 35:5; 61:1)
He lived by principles within the reach of all
mankind. Because they were given to all of us as a sure guide to life.
Principles made by our Creator, who by nature knows us better than we know
ourselves (1Corinthians 8:3). Principles, some temporary like ordinances, or
permanent like moral precepts; but all come from the Spirit of God, under the
eternal and immutable character of the Maker of all things.
HOW SHOULD WE LIVE?
In the same way, all of us who profess Faith in
Christ, and obedience to GOD through Him; we are called to live according to
the divine principles expressed in Scripture, which reflect the character of
our God.
Things that are pleasing to God and not things that
are not, or that we think are and perhaps are not.
We are called to live not according to our own
ideas, nor emotional or material impulses, which can be corrupted by the
environment and as a consequence of original sin; but according to divine
principles given to men as a sure guide of the Will of God.
We Christians are not weak people, carried here and
there by emotions or free thought. Our minds are subject, but to the Holy
Spirit.
Our bodies are subject, but to the Holy Will of God
Most High.
The Christian life is a life of principles that
makes us men and women of integrity, strong and resolute. People who are
sanctified every day, and who one day will be the inhabitants of the Kingdom of
God to its maximum fullness.
Although it is difficult to live a life according to
principles that may fight against our fallen nature, very soon, when we are
transformed into Glory, after Death and Resurrection, they will no longer be
difficult to fulfill, but a joyful activity that will have become a natural
part of our being.
Omar Flores.
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