Scandal!

David Petraeus, head of the CIA, a former four-star general, a man with ‘rock star’ status in Washington, DC, came tumbling down from lofty heights last week.  He was tripped up by desire gone awry. It would only take me seconds to name a dozen people, preachers and politicians, whose libido brought them down.  The story is so familiar.  A man at the pinnacle of success meets a younger woman who flatters him, attracted by his power and influence. What starts as a friendship ends up as an affair. The secret finds the light and the implosion starts. Then, he’s gone, slipping into obscurity, his greatness eclipsed by his very human failure.

Some may condemn him as a fool. Others may wonder at his choices. I will only say, “there, but for the grace of God, go I.”  Too many have said it could never happen to them. They have considered themselves too smart to take the bait. Not I!  Knowing the deceitfulness of the human heart and the seductive power of the sinful nature, I hold tightly to the promise of God Who says that if trust Him, He will keep me. The Bible says, "If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin. But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it." (1 Corinthians 10:12-13, NLT)  

Jesus tells us that He holds us securely in His hand. What a joyous thought! "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand." (John 10:28-29, NIV)  But, we also can never forget that we can, and some do, reject the very grace that keeps us secure.  With these vivid words, the Scripture describes them: "For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” (2 Peter 2:20-23, NKJV)  Jesus says that those who get cleaned up and delivered from the grasp of Evil, who do not continue to live in and by the Spirit, risk becoming seven times the sinner they were in the past.

In spite of all those warnings, we need not live in terror of Self or Satan. The call is not to scrupulous self-righteousness, but to greater surrender to His love. If we are willing to say “yes” to the Spirit in each moment, temptation has no hold on us.  We are made wise to the weaknesses in ourselves, warned of the ‘roaring lion that seeks to devour’ us, and we stand strong.

Here’s a word of practical instruction from the Word. As we ponder the wreckage of the fallen, may we be kept from pride, and called to awareness of His strength to save. "God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Those who claim they belong to the Lord must turn away from all wickedness.” In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." (2 Timothy 2:19-22, NLT)

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Take My Life

Holiness, holiness,

Is what I long for.

Holiness is what I need.

Holiness, holiness,

Is what You want from me!

So take my heart and form it;

Take my mind - transform it;

Take my will - conform it;

To Yours, to Yours, Oh Lord.

Scott Underwood

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