The current emphasis on daring God to perform some marvel is identical to Satan daring Jesus to jump off the roof of the Temple. It is presumption. It is the third great branch of sin, a satanic bondage that will be released in our day from every believer who will cooperate with the Holy Spirit.

We overcome the temptation to try to live by bread alone by making a practice of looking to the Lord continually throughout the day and night.

We overcome the temptation to worship and serve Satan by confessing, denouncing, and renouncing our sinful compulsions and tendencies.

We overcome the temptation to fulfill our personal ambitions by waiting patiently in the situation where God places, in the meanwhile praying for what it is we want. When we delight ourselves in the Lord He grants us the desires of our heart.

Apostolic References to the Coming Salvation

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. (Romans 13:11)

There are several New Testament passages, such as the one above, that view our salvation as coming in the future. It appears this concept of salvation has been lost to the Christian churches. We usually think of salvation as something that happened to us in the past when we received Christ.

If we do think of a future redemption, we picture it as our going to Heaven.

When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:28)

But our redemption is not from the earth to Heaven. We are not saved, or redeemed, from the earth. We are saved from the power of Satan. So the redemption that is drawing near is deliverance from the power of Satan.

To open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. (Acts 26:18)

The idea is that if we are faithful today in putting aside sin as well as we can, the time will come when the Lord will help us in a much greater way so we are able to gain total victory over the spirit of the world, the lusts of our flesh, and our self-will.

It often is said that as long as we are in the world we must sin. But this is not scriptural. By going to the Throne of Grace when we have need we can gain victory over each temptation. God always will make a way of escape so we can bear whatever comes against us.

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. (Romans 8:12)

To be continued.