12 So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. 13 No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. 14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
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Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 10:12-22, focus verses 12-13, and my struggles with a habitual sin. I realized that when I had tried to rely on my own willpower to overcome these habitual sins, it was often a futile battle as I was able to abstain for a season. But then when circumstances arise and thoughts about the sinful habits arose in my mind, I found myself drawn irresastibly to fall back into the habitual sin again.
This unhelpful pattern of abstaining/fasting and falling back into sinful habits, led me to walk many years in spiritual darkness, and endless battles with depressive/suicidal thoughts. Until I came to the realization that it was not by my own power or might but by the Grace shown to me through Jesus' one-time perfect Sacrifice, that the Temple curtain was torn into two. I now have boldness to approach God's Holy throne without fear of condemnation nor shame, and power to overcome my sinful flesh.
As the Hebrews writer summed up in Hebrews 4:15-16: 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. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
I will end my sharing with the words from Paul Wilbur's beautiful Messianic worship, "I Enter the Holy of Holies"
I Enter the Holy of Holies – by Paul Wilbur
I enter the Holy of Holies
I enter through the blood of the Lamb
I enter to worship You only
I enter to honor I am
Lord I worship You, I worship You,
Lord I worship You, I worship You,
For Your name is Holy, Holy Lord
For Your name is Holy, Holy Lord
I enter the Holy of Holies
I enter through the blood of the Lamb
I enter to worship You only
I enter to honor I am
Lord I worship You, I worship You
Lord I worship You, I worship You
For Your name is Holy, Holy Lord
For Your name is Holy, Holy Lord
For Your name is Holy, Holy Lord
For Your name is Holy, Holy Lord
Let the weight of Your glory cover us
Let the life of Your river flow
Let the truth of Your kingdom reign in us
Let the weight of Your glory
Let the weight of Your glory fall
For Your name is Holy, Holy Lord
For Your name is Holy, Holy Lord
Album: Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem (2002) – track 4
Reflection on 1 Cor 10:12-22 by Chris Tan
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