“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." Hebrews 4:15
The message on my answering machine sent a chill through my entire body. Something was terribly wrong. As I returned the call and got the details I felt numb, numb with unbelievable sadness, numb with unbelievable pain. It could not be true that someone I loved had strayed so far away from the Lord.
I had a feeling a few weeks before that I should call that person. I put it on the back burner. I wasn’t feeling well, my kids were involved in so many activities—I would call when I had the chance. I let the busyness of life keep me from obeying the prompting of God that a friend needed help.
When I finally called, she said, “Don’t talk about the Bible to me. I know it just as well as you do. You don’t understand.”
The pain and sadness still remain. We never get over one of our Christian brothers or sisters deliberately setting their relationship with the Lord aside to pursue a sinful lifestyle.
We have all known Christians that have strayed away from their first love of the Lord. Maybe you have fallen into some form of sin—let your relationship with the Lord fall by the wayside.
I was wrong for not following up on that urging of the Holy Spirit to call my friend. I too have sometimes given in to temptation. But I can be forgiven. You can be forgiven—whatever you have done.
We have a Savior, a great high priest, who was human just as we are. Jesus was tempted with everything we face—but He did not sin. The Spirit of God in Him enabled Him to say no to the temptation. He showed us how to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit within us when we are tempted.
What tempts you? Have you already given in and feel that separation between you and the Lord?
Will you go right now to a place where you can get on your knees and ask for God’s help to avoid the temptation? Where you can ask His forgiveness for giving in?
Begin to live today in the light and freedom of His gracious forgiveness. He still loves you. He understands.
Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman. Do not use without written permission of the author.
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