Jesus is without sin, and perfect, but is there any hope for us to be perfect as He is? Is perfection something that we are even capable of? The glorious surprise of faith is that we are transformed not into men seeking to behave as God, but into God flowing from man.
Are you being tempted with Jesus Christ even today? In that temptation do you continue on with Him, or do you turn away from Him and leave? This is a question Jesus asked His disciples at the last supper, and which is still valid today. I ask you one more question... when we give into our temptations are we saddling and shaming Jesus with sin again?
Are you tempted as Jesus was tempted? Do you even understand what that means? When we as Christians look back at the difference between the alluring we faced before we were born again and those temptations that came following our conversion we realize that they are quite different. Our common temptations that occur in every person's life suddenly transformed themselves into temptations of a higher spiritual plane. We move from purely moral temptations to those which can alter our spirits and condemn our very souls.
When you pray the Lord's Prayer and say the words "lead us not into temptation", what do you think that means? Do you think you are asking God to keep you from experiencing temptation? Do you understand it to mean that you are asking God Himself not to tempt you? Do you think it literally means that God should not purposely lead you into tempting situations? Or, do you feel you are asking God to lead you away from your natural inclination to be tempted and sin?
Do you have questions about faith, or revelations about yourself that you need to communicate to God? Are there things so personal that you blush with embarrassment and shame at the mere thought of them? These are the most pressing things that you need to reveal to God, and they require a secret place where you can be absolutely open and honest with Him.
Do you have hidden sins that are undoing you? They don't have to be huge or incredibly sleazy, but dishonest to God's law, and to the commandments of Jesus Christ. Tolerating such behavior in ourselves will surely undo the good work done in us. We will certainly become blind.
How do you know when you have been in fervent prayer? Is it when you end your sentence with Amen, or is it when you unfold your hands, open your eyes, or get up off your knees? Those can all be indications of having prayed, but the real give away regarding fervent prayer is your heart; when the fingers of your soul begrudgingly let go of the hand of God and you return to your body... and language serves you once more.
God never leads us by the ear into salvation. He never forces us to acknowledge Him against our will, or badgers us until we finally give in. No, a tiny seed is planted within us and it becomes our responsibility to tend and grow it, or let it lie dormant and eventually whither away.
Do you worry about the salvation of your family members? Are you a believer who doesn't trust that their household is faithful? Well, take heart, your belief has saved them all. By your faith and your example you are bringing the Word of the Lord into your home and family.
Are we prepared to do the Father's bidding? I am not talking about the things you consider to be the grand tasks of heaven, but rather the trivial and menial jobs. Those that occur every day as we live out our lives; the ones that humble us and define us as servants.
Have you prepared yourself for the challenges of faith ahead? Are you ready for the trials that lie before you, or are you totally out of spiritual shape? Be as Jesus was... ready for the moment of God's calling... be ready to join the Father in the race of your life.
Do you claim the glory of God for yourself? When doing great things you have been called and gifted to do, do you puff out your chest and swagger as if they were about you? We are tempted as men and women of the world to claim rights over God's work when it moves through us into the physical world, but we must defeat that inclination lest we be humbled.
Do you feel particularly unworthy this morning? When you arose did you feel dulled by the world as if you had lost your spiritual sheen? Well, cast that off because you are a living stone... a piece of heaven. When you look into the mirror rejoice, and see yourself a reflection of the Kingdom to come.
Are you tripping over your feet if faith? Do you begin to run in the understanding of God's will in your life only to fall flat on your face? Well, what do you do when that happens? Do you spring at once to your feet, slowly pull yourself up, or just lay there and cry? Then again, maybe the Lord delights in your way and you do not fall at all.
Have you always wanted to be the kind of Christian that is a blessing to others? Perhaps you have watched saints in your church and wished you could touch other people in the same way that they do. Well, don't discount yourself because you may be rippling out blessings at a much higher rate than you think!