Dc Talk - Jesus Freak 25Sample

So Help Me God

Every one of us has experienced what it is like to be bombarded with offerings that satisfy the surface and to feel infected by the skin in which we live. 

It’s amazing (truly amazing!) that Jesus, because of actual experience, understands our human condition. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15, ESV)

Jesus Christ, though divine, was also human, and so he was tempted in the same ways as we are. We don’t have many details other than the wilderness temptation, but the words “in every respect” clearly indicate he faced all manner of temptation and was without sin. Temptation itself is not sin.

The problem for us isn’t temptation, it’s how we respond to the temptation. Martin Luther famously said that we cannot keep birds from circling above our head, but we can keep them from nesting in our hair. His point is that people will face enticements. Though we can, in some ways, minimize these by practicing self-control regarding what we allow our senses to take in, we will not eliminate them altogether. Temptations will arise like birds overhead; our responsibility is to stop them from taking up residence in our minds. 

Keeping the temptation ‘birds’ from ‘nesting’ in our minds isn’t always easy. The apostle Paul writes, “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures.” (Titus 3:3, NIV) This is the work of the enemy—to seduce with enticements that, in the moment, are pleasurable and may even seem harmless. The enemy wants to re-enslave us by playing to our passions and pleasures. But who in their right mind wants to be a slave to an enemy bent on destroying us?!

The Hebrews writer goes on to say, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16, ESV)

So help me God is not a wishful prayer, but a matter of fact. As Christ-followers, the help God unfailingly gives is his grace. This grace is the action of the Spirit within our lives that “…teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:12-14, NIV) 

This is how we live as Christians. We are confident that, in drawing near to God, we will find grace—help that is more powerful than anything the enemy can throw our way. This grace (help) is always present. Always.