Hebrews 4:15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Christ Under Control of the Spirit

I was reading through Ruth Paxson’s “Life on the Highest Plane” and truly getting a blessing.  She lays out a true Biblical understanding of what Jesus really did when he visited this earth.  When Christ became man, he was tempted as a man.  When he entered the wilderness and the garden of Gethsemane, he was tempted, not as God, but as the man Christ Jesus.  He was under the control of the Holy Spirit and made a conscious choice of the will to do the Father’s will.  The only way he could truly pay for our sin was if he truly became man and was tempted just like you and me.

We Can Have Power Over Sin

So what does that mean for us?  It means that since Jesus lived an example of how to live a Spirit controlled life, while being subject to like passions and feeling, just like you and me; we can do the same.  The devil wants to limit our reasoning and willingness to let the Spirit of God control us and overcome the power of sin, just like Jesus.  He wants us to live a defeated life.  It is kind of like that illustration of a baby elephant being tied up with a small stake.   Eventually,  he grows but does not realize he could rip the stake out of the ground all because he could not when he was younger.  We become convinced by the devil we cannot overcome sin in our life.  He gets us to believe it is impossible.  However, Christ left us an example of living according to the will of God.  He could have “cheated” and pulled on his Deity in the wilderness temptation, but he didn’t.  He overcame it as a member of the human race, just like you and me.

You Don’t Need to Live a Defeated Life

Christ is there to forgive and wants us to have victory over sin, no matter how far we have gone down the wrong road.  He knows what it is like to live in this world, have pain in the flesh, make decisions, get discouraged, you name it.  He has been there personally.  He is not a high priest, who cannot be approached by us.  He is near and ready to help you overcome any sin or defeat in your life.  Everyday is a new start with the Lord.  He hates the devil as much as you do.  He beat the devil for us and gave us a home in heaven, all just for the asking.  He won back what the first Adam lost in the Garden of Eden.  He gave mankind a chance to restore his relationship and fellowship with a Holy, righteous God.  We can now live in such a way that our will is again submitted to God, as it will be throughout eternity.  That is truly a blessing to have that kind of relationship with our Heavenly Father.