This week in our lesson over the final section of the Lord's prayer, Cody recounted a story from a time when he was in Honduras on a short-term missions trip. As he was out getting supplies with one of the men from the local orphanage where they were serving, he learned that he was only a block away from the most dangerous part of town in one of the most dangerous cities in the entire world. He said that just before he was made aware of that reality that he had felt completely safe as he was taking in the sights, sounds, and beauty of the area. Doesn't this illustration capture the truly deceptive nature of sin?
If we were able to see our sin through God's eyes, how much different would our attitude towards it be? To God, sin is repulsive and displeasing, but that's not how it appears to our broken and depraved hearts and minds. In fact, we often, like in Cody's illustration, are content being blissfully unaware of the danger we are in. If we are honest, even when we are aware of the dangers of sin, we tend to walk as close to the flames as we can get without becoming too uncomfortable with the intense heat. We don't like to admit it, but this is often who we are.
In this final section of his lesson on praying; after focusing their prayers on worship, God's will, his provision, and forgiveness; Jesus turns his attention to man's sinfulness. He instructs his disciples to ask God that they not be led into temptation. This seems like strange language from a man who not only knew well the teachings of scripture, but in his divine nature as the second person of the Trinity, was the wellspring from which it came. Did Jesus somehow forget who he was? God never tempts anyone to sin (James 1:13)!
I think the essence of Jesus' teaching here is closely related to the lesson of Cody's Honduras story. When it comes to our sin, things are never what they seem. What often seems harmless, and perhaps even appealing in the moment can have devastating repercussions later on. Once you begin down the slippery slope with sin it can be hard to regain your footing. This is why Jesus tells us to pray that we not be led into temptation. It's a warning that we flee from sin early and often.
In this instance, I think looking at the Greek, can be helpful. The verb "lead" is in the aorist subjunctive mood. What does that mean and why is it important!?!? I'm not a Greek scholar by any stretch of the imagination, but the subjunctive mood of a verb refers to something that is being done hypothetically. In other words, in the Greek manuscript of Matthew 6:13, the idea being conveyed is not a fact, nor is it a command, but rather it is a notion.
So, I think the idea of what Jesus really wants us to pray for is the power to, again, as in Cody's story, not turn the corner onto that dark alley. "Lead us not into temptation..." is an appeal that God would, through the power of his Holy Spirit, give us the strength to turn the other way when we face temptation. Ultimately, isn't that what repentance is...a changing of direction? Where we used to go one way, we now go another.
Each and every day, we will face choices. In every instance, we have the opportunity to choose obedience or disobedience to the commands of God. The stakes are high. What we choose has the power to draw us closer into fellowship with God or draw us further from him. Our choices, good or bad, don't decide our fate in an eternal sense. That is to say, I can't obey my way into heaven. Scripture tells us if we are guilty of even one sin (and we all are) then we are guilty of all of them (James 2:10. Romans 3:23). Likewise, the Bible is clear that salvation comes only through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. But just because grace doesn't depend on our good works and is powerful enough to cover all of our sinful acts, that doesn't mean that the Christian life is divorced from the commands in scripture to pursue holiness.
In Colossians chapter 3 (I'm looking forward to the coming weeks when we get to study together this awesome section of scripture!), we see Paul describe the Christian life through the imagery of clothing. We are to put off (or take off) the old, dirty, sin stained clothes of our former life; and adorn ourselves in the new, bright, cleanness of our new life in Christ. My house sits atop a pretty steep hill out front. Every week in the spring and summer I have to mow, using a push mower, that hill. Even with the luxury of a self-propelled mower, it's no easy job. By the time I come in from mowing the lawn, I am filthy dirty and soaked in sweat. There are few things in life that feel better than getting into the shower after a dirty job like that. When I come out, fresh and squeaky clean, I feel like a new man!
This is the reality that Jesus is teaching us to pray for in the Lord's prayer and Paul is exhorting us to take hold of in Colossians 3. Through the power of the gospel, we are washed clean of sin's stain on our life. That is, we are externally clean. But even more so, we are transformed in such a way that our desires change as well. That is, we are internally made new as well. The reality of the gospel is one that impacts every aspect of our life.
Hopefully throughout our study over the Lord's prayer we have learned biblical, doctrinal, and theological truths that ground our prayers in what is true about God and the truth of his word. At the same time, I hope that we have gained a lot of practical insight, through the way that Jesus has taught us to pray and the things he has taught us to pray for, that leads us into a more fruitful prayer life. The Christian life is not without its challenges, but as we grow in faith, prayer, and obedience, we get to experience greater fulfillment and joy in Christ.
In Grace,
Chris Morris
If you missed this week's sermon (or just want to listen again), follow the link below to listen. Or subscribe to our podcast in iTunes.
Part 5 - Lead us not into temptation
Questions discussed in this sermon:
1. Do we need to ask God to not tempt us into sin?
2. How do we battle sin both internally and externally?
3. How can we practically escape the snare of sin?
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