Facing Temptation, Matt 4

In Matt 4 we read about Christ's temptation at the hands of Satan. These three temptations lie at the heart of all temptations that we face as believers.

From this passage we learn that most temptation comes when we are in a weakened state, i.e. lonely, angry, tired, hungry.

The first temptation was an attempt to get Jesus to turn stones into bread. On a universal level this was a temptation to get his needs met in ways other than God's.

The second temptation was a test to get Jesus to throw himself off of the temple. On a deeper level this was a test to control God rather than to trust Him and His ways. We do the same thing when we bargain with God in our prayers, or try to fix people instead of loving them and letting God work His grace in their lives.

The third temptation was when Satan offered Jesus all the kingdom's of the world just for worshipping him. This was a temptation to avoid suffering. Had Christ accepted Satan's offer He would not have had to go to the cross.

In short, We are tempted like Christ to:
1. Get our legitimate needs met in an illegitimate way,
2. Use God for our own ends,
3. Do the right thing at the wrong time in the wrong way and to take short cuts doing it.

Growth, Romans 8

I for a long time I've been asking myself, "What does growth look like?" That may be a strange question, but it has been something I've been thinking about since I started my graduate work. And the funny thing is after a few years thinking about it I honestly still have a lot of questions. But here is what I've learned:

1. All growth is spiritual growth. Our lives can't be compartmentalize into religious and secular, i.e. learning to budget is still spiritual growth.
2. Letting the scriptures guide my relationships produces emotional health.
3. Most of my growth has been the result of transitions or to put it plainly, suffering.
4. Relationships should be opportunities for people to experience acceptance.
5. We should respond to difficult situations by obeying scripture. I believe that when a person obeys scripture's teachings when they are suffering, God is putting them on the fast track to spiritual growth.
6. I've learned that we should accept things we can not change and seek God's grace for strength.

The Greek word here for glory is the same for image. Romans 8:17 "Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (image)."
Responding right to suffering makes us more like Christ.

Man was perfect in the beginning with God. Man fell away from God shortly thereafter. God's plan of redemption is God's restorative work to make us more of our true selves. In short, By obeying scripture's principles in every situation we are being transformed into Christ's image and becoming more of our true selves.