Following And Leading!

There was a motorist who had driven round and round the block, yet was unable to find a parking spot. Finally he stuck the following note under his windshield wiper: "I have circled this block for 15 minutes. If I don't park here I will miss a very important appointment. 'Forgive us our trespasses.'" When he returned to his car the following note was attached to a parking ticket: "I have circled this block for 15 years. If I don't give you a ticket I could be fired. 'Lead us not into temptation.'"

I need forgiveness. That is one thing we all have in common. (i.e. Romans 3:23) This is the very reason God sent His Son, so that through His death on the cross our sins could be taken away. The means of forgiveness is something for which we should be eternally grateful. God acknowledged our need and met it through Christ. However, the fact we can be forgiven is not to be interpreted as a license to continue in sin.

Someone has said, "I don't need to be led into temptation. I can find it myself."

I also need to guard against thinking I'm stronger than I might be. Temptation is something to steer away from, rather than seeing how close we can get without "falling in" or "getting burned." We need to STEER AWAY FROM TEMPTATION, not only FOR OUR OWN SAKE, but also for the SAKE OF OTHERS. We might possibly be able to walk on the edge without falling, but someone following may not be as fortunate. In following in our steps another may get close to the edge and stumble and fall. Whether we really want it or not we each have the RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING AN EXAMPLE.

Note Jesus' warning to His disciples:
"And he said to his disciples, "(1) Temptations to sin are sure to come, but WOE TO THE ONE THROUGH WHOM THEY COME! (2) It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. (3) PAY ATTENTION TO YOURSELVES! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, (4) and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."" ( Luke 17:1-4 ESV)

These "little ones" Jesus mentioned could be merely children or may possibly be even a reference to weaker brethren. Still, the warning we dare not miss is to WATCH OUR OWN LIFE so as to NOT BE ONE WHO WOULD LEAD ASTRAY. The best way to have steps worth following is to keep walking in the steps of Jesus.

Have a great day LEADING BY FOLLOWING OUR LEADER!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 03/05/1999 (Edited some with passages changed to ESV)]

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