Introduction
The Apostle Paul wrote these words to warn Christians of the possibility of falling by unbelief from God's favour, and to show how they can prevent such a fall through faithful obedience toward God. Believers have always been tempted to think they are beyond danger because of past blessings, and to put their trust in their church group rather than in God. Paul uses Israel in the wilderness as an example of this danger, pointing out reasons for their fall, and offering suggestions by which God's people today may avoid the same dreadful end. There is no reason why Christians should fall away; when they do, it is always because of their own faithlessness.
Israel’s great advantages
“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness” (1 Corinthians 10:1-5).
All were baptized people. They were immersed in the cloud and sea, which represents God’s protective care for them. Through the leadership of Moses, they were delivered from bondage in Egypt. God had given them the wonderful privilege of being set free from the old life and gaining entrance into one filled with His blessings. The very fact that they went through the cloud and the sea reveals that they showed that they at least had some faith in God.
They all enjoyed the miraculous food and drink. Every day they were blessed with food sent by God, be it Manna or quail, and saw how He provided water for them throughout their forty year journey through the wilderness. But their past experiences with God did not protect them from the consequences of unbelief and disobedience, “But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness” (1 Corinthians 10:5).
The example
Using Israel as an example, Paul offers some suggestions by which Christians may avoid the same fate.
Realize there is the possibility of falling, “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted … Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:6, 11).
Avoid common sins which damn the soul to Hell, “Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer” (1 Corinthians 10:7-10).
Why would the apostle Paul encourage believers to “take heed” if there is no possibility of falling away from God and being eternally destroyed? “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). No one is immune from this danger if he stops depending on God day by day.
Our responsibility
We are called to constantly depend on God's faithfulness, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). This means that temptation itself does not have the power to destroy anyone, instead man’s own willingness to let sin dominate him that will damn his soul. Satan will use every means to tempt us away from God, but there is always a way to overcome. The devil cannot defeat the believer who obeys God rather than his own fleshly desires. God always provides the strength to get through the temptation, so it is only disobedience that leads to a downfall.
As believers, we must flee temptation, “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). Idolatry is not only the worship of false gods and images of stone, but includes anything that takes our minds off Christ. “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience” (Colossians 3:5-6).
How can we truly fellowship with God if there is wilful disobedience in our hearts? “I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” (1 Corinthians 10:15-22).
Conclusion
No one need fall from God's favour, though Israel's example reveals that it is a possibility. From that Old Testament example, Paul gives stem warning, analyzes the reasons for their falling, and makes positive suggestions for avoiding the same outcome. Let us always trust in God's faithfulness, for in that confidence we can persevere in faith.
© Page created 18 April 2007