Woody Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 I just got a book and started reading it. Actually it is an old book. But I thought it would start a good discussion. Did Christ have to endure EVERY temptation that we do? Or did he endure at every 'point' such as what we do? The book I am reading is "The Book of Hebrews" by M.L.Andreasen. Now I don't necessarily recommend this author. But I figure I can learn something from many different kinds of authors. Here it is ... Quote: "To Christ every temptation must come at least in equal strength to that of the most tempted on earth. If in any sin one is tempted harder than Christ was tempted, then God would have to excuse that man for yielding; for he could justly say that Christ never was tempted so severely as he, and that the reason Christ was not tempted was because He could not endure it and come off victorious." What say you .... Was Jesus tempted with Porno as strongly as say ... Truthseeker ? Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Moderators Jeannieb43 Posted July 29, 2008 Moderators Posted July 29, 2008 I remember Elder M. L. Andreasen. He was an old man when I was a child. I've heard him preach several times. I know he's written several books, but I don't think I've ever read any of them. The way I recall him, he was definitely of the "legalistic" mindset. [but how can a child be expected to discriminate regarding those things?] And BTW, when I used to be a dean of girls in an SDA academy, we had to deal with 'porno' a few times. But that was way before the days of computers or the internet. Even in my day, 'porno' was printed material, black-and-white, printed on cheap paper, and hidden away whenever an adult came around. So, what I'm saying is, Elder Andreasen certainly would never have preached about porno. He probably never even heard the word during his lifetime. Quote Jeannie<br /><br /><br />...Change is inevitable; growth is optional....
Guest truthseeker007 Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 I think that the author is lowering the essence of God by suggesting that Jesus was tempted like us man. I believe that temptation implies a secret desire to sin. I believe that there was no such desire in Jesus. I think that s why he said that the devil cannot find something to make him sin. I think only human beings can be tempted because after the fall of mankind, each of us is born with a sinfull nature. Every person, in certain circumstances when not born-again, has a desire to sin, for sin is the transgression of the law. Legalistically it might not be wrong to look at shakira, but sensitively we know that a Christian should be pure in heart. In this matter i believe it is important to make a distinction between sins from the flesh and sins in the spirit. I think that flesh is the biggest enemy for human beings for it causes a hunger for lust, power etc. Unfortunately i keep on being a prisoner of flesh because of my many doubts. Does God truly exist?if he exists does he love me? If there is a God, then is he a good God? Do Gnostics have the truth? As long as i am trapped in these doubts i cannot surrender myself totally to the work of the Lord, take up my cross and follow Jesus. This is the reason why i have been praying for years now each night for God to reveal himself to me, so he could free me from these doubts. Quote
Woody Posted July 29, 2008 Author Posted July 29, 2008 Truthseeker ... I think doubts are very normal. I think I can safely say that we ALL have doubts. So, it is good that you express them here and can get the input of others. Good to have you here. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Moderators John317 Posted July 29, 2008 Moderators Posted July 29, 2008 You're right that Jesus had no desire to sin. He had a desire to obey His Father, a desire that God places in our minds and hearts through the Spirit. But Jesus of course was a human being. The only differences as far as sin goes between ourselves and Jesus is that Jesus never had to be "born again," and he never sinned. So he didn't have to overcome bad habits. But Jesus was tempted and He had to rely on the Father for strength to overcome temptation the same as we must. He never used His special powers to overcome sin. He knows what it is like to be tempted and have to rely on God for strength. You may remember how he had to go out into the wilderness to pray at night. God gave Him spiritual strength the same as God gives us. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Woody Posted July 29, 2008 Author Posted July 29, 2008 Quote: The only differences as far as sin goes between ourselves and Jesus is that Jesus never had to be "born again," and he never sinned. Jesus never experienced Sanctification either. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Moderators John317 Posted July 29, 2008 Moderators Posted July 29, 2008 Quote: The only differences as far as sin goes between ourselves and Jesus is that Jesus never had to be "born again," and he never sinned. Jesus never experienced Sanctification either. Well, if you consider what sanctification is in its broader view-- which is spiritual growth or learning obedience- then it becomes apparent that in that sense, Jesus did become more sanctified. He learned obedience. Heb. 5: 8,9. He had to learn just like we do. Read Hebrews 2 and 4: 14-16. That is why He can be our High Priest: He knows what we are going through in our suffering and pain. Think of it: God knows experientially what it is like because, through Christ, God went through the same things. That should give us great courage and hope. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Woody Posted July 29, 2008 Author Posted July 29, 2008 Christ was Sanctified from the very beginning. He did not become sanctified through a process. He WAS. He IS. Granted ... he learned ... yes. But he was sanctified from the very beginning. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Moderators John317 Posted July 29, 2008 Moderators Posted July 29, 2008 Of course he was sanctified from the beginning. He was called "that holy thing" when in the womb. Sanctification is a process. It not something static. The Bible says that Christians are sanctified the moment they come to Christ, but there is also the process of sanctification which should be taking place every day of our lives. In that sense Jesus was no different. If you consider what sanctification is in its broader view-- which is spiritual growth or learning obedience- then it becomes apparent that in that sense, Jesus did become more sanctified. He learned obedience. Heb. 5: 8,9. He had to learn just like we do. The point is that Jesus knows what we have to go through in our trials and temptations. That doesn't, of course, mean that he knows what it is like to go through every single temptation, such as smoking weed, watching TV, or driving over the speed limit. We're talking about principles. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Woody Posted July 30, 2008 Author Posted July 30, 2008 "broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction" Matt. 7:13 Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.