Jesus came to model for us...what it looks like to love the Father and to fulfill the law of God, which He summed up nicely by informing us that all of the law of God centered around loving God with all our heart and soul and mind, and to love others as ourselves, or as Christ loved us.. .(Matt. 5:17; John 13:34-35;14:31; Matt. 22:36-40; ).

In order for us to ever be able to do the same, we would first have to ‘repent...and follow Him’, which means we’d have to walk according to the Spirit, and not the flesh, in order for all the righteous requirements of the law to be fulfilled in us. (Matt. 4:17,19; Rom. 8:4). It also helps to have His nature residing in us, which is what He came to duplicated in us (Rom. 8:13-14; 2 Pet. 1:2-4).

Again...not something we can do on our own or in our own strength; which is why He commands us to ‘abide in Him’ (John 15:1-8). This would be the only way any fruit could be produced in us...proving to be His disciples. Yes, there would be some ‘suffering’ involved as well. And those who actually do abide in Him...will walk just as Jesus walked and no longer sin. (1 John 2:6;3:6)

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow in His steps.” (1 Pet. 2:21) Now the ‘suffering’ in which Peter speaks of here relates to the suffering we experience when we ‘resist’ the devil and take up our cross as Christ did...and ‘die to self’, or the fleshly desires of our old nature. And those who do indeed follow in His steps...will have ‘ceased from sin and no longer live the rest of their time in the flesh for the lusts of men but for the will of God.” (1 Pet. 4:1-2). Oh...why is it so important that we live for, or ‘do’ the will of God? Take a look at Matt. 7:21, if you’ve not memorized it already.

Something else that Jesus modeled for us was how to deal with the enemy, Satan, who either had us captive before coming to Christ to do his will (2 Tim. 2:25-26), or to ensnare us again and tempt us to sin; because that is what he does best...through deception. We touched on Jesus’s encounter with him in the wilderness in yesterday’s message. There was not a lot of flashy or demonstrative theatrics on the part of Jesus. When Satan came and tempted Him, appealing to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life’, Jesus simply resisted and stood on God’s word every single time. And the devil departed...’until an opportune time’ (Luke 4:12-13)

Sadly, too many sincere people today claiming to be children of God and ‘saved’, have been led astray by ‘other gospels’ and have been taught they will never be able to fully overcome sin, will always remain sinners...that there is no ‘law to fulfill’ because they are ‘under grace’ and loved by God who accepts them just the way they are. In other words, there are very little expectations placed on new converts because that would be considered ‘legalism’ and we are ‘saved by grace through faith’. And what a great deal that sounds like so why be bothered with taking the time to examine all those ‘other verses’ that I provide for you here to study...to see if there is any additional truth you might want to study and then pursue so that you too, can be ‘free indeed’? (Acts 17:11;John 8:32-36)

But for those of you whom the ‘light is starting to come on’ ... let me encourage you here today...that through Christ, you can indeed...do all things and become more than a conqueror through Him (Phil. 4:13; Rom. 8:37). And yes, there is a cross involved, and a ‘death’ to experience; but it won’t be as graphic and as serious as the one Jesus endured.

There will also be an enemy who will seek entrance back in to your life (Matt. 12:43-45) but you need not fear nor worry over him...as long as you continue abiding in Jesus. (1 John 5:18). I cannot stress enough...the importance of doing this. So let me give you an example as to how this walk plays out and how you ‘suffer’ in the flesh when you ‘stand and resist’ the enemy who will...attempt to sidetrack you. I’ll also share with you how this ‘grace’ actually operates and plays out in this walk of faith. Remember, God’s grace is not some canopy or covering that makes your sins invisible. On the contrary it is the power of God made available to the humble so that you can overcome all sin and live a godly life through Christ. (Titus 2:11-14)

So the Holy Spirit reveals through the word of God, or by some other means, some area in your life that is sin, and not conducive to walking in the spirit; and you agree with this revelation and confess it to God and receive His forgiveness as you turn (repent) from it; meaning you are not going to practice that sin anymore. But here comes the ‘test’ which you will face (Deut. 8:2; 2 Thess. 2:4; James 1:2-4)...and this is what you need to remember:

We have a ‘High Priest’ (Jesus) who Himself has suffered, being tempted, in all points that we are, (and never sinned) and is able to give aid to those who are being tempted.(Heb. 2:18; 4:15). Would you let that sink in, for a moment, please. We are also told/encouraged that we can come with confidence and boldness to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need. (Heb. 4:16). And do you know what happens in those moments? God gives us grace to stand...and resist an enemy who is much stronger than us, but no match for Jesus. Do you really want to try and resist him in your own power? How’s that been working out for you?

Now I’m not going to lie...there is some ‘suffering’ that does take place when you die to something you have loved for so long...be it greed, lust, anger, selfishness, etc. But it’s not as if you will ‘suffer to the point of shedding blood’ like Jesus did for you. (Heb. 12:4). In other words...God is telling you...”You got this...provided you surrender to Me and allow Me to work through you in these moments of trials and testings.” But you have to stand in the fire and ‘suffer a little bit’ (1 Pet. 5:10; 4:12-13).

Maybe this illustration will help. I started working out with a trainer in a gym one year ago, this month. Lots of benefits for me personally, not only physically, but spiritually as well. And there have been numerous times, when Jordan (my trainer) has me doing some bench presses, or some other weight lifting exercise...and on that third set...I know I’m struggling, and hurting...and know for a fact I will not be able to do those last three reps. And it is during those moments, that he too can see this...and while my eyes are shut as I grimace...I sense Jordan’s hand reach in...and give me just enough added support to finish the reps, that I know I would have never been able to do on my own. Friends...that is a perfect picture of how grace works.. I dare you to try it out for yourself during your next ‘test’ to ‘resist’ the devil in your time of temptation. But make sure you are humble enough to ask for God’s help during that time...as you prove to God you really do love Him more...than you do that sin. (James 4:7-10)