Yet we know that we cannot shine unless we are tempted; we know we cannot be the light of the world unless we are tempted... to to prevail and come out victorious.
So why? Why ask: "Father, do not send us into the desert," when we know we cannot claim victory over Satan unless we have actually faced him and won as our Lord did?
To answer this question, one must ask themselves; "Who am I in the first place? Who is it that's talking?"
When he came to us, we were sinners, mortals both in flesh and soul. He told us that we must always pray, but we had no idea how to do that so he taught us.
As days went by, then weeks, months and years, he walked among us as if he were mortal himself, (even if we knew he was not); and then centuries after he'd gotten rid of his body, he revealed us that we too aren't mortals really, but that is: If and only if we are rooted in Him.
Still we prayed, asking: "Please do not lead us into the desert to be tempted. Please protect us from the Devil. Please keep him away from us. We can't, we don't want to face him."
But somehow, now a day has come and we don't wanna be protected anymore. Instead of asking: "Lead us not into temptation;" we're asking for more; more trials and tribulations, more temptations... screaming on top of our lungs "Bring it on!" and some of us actually begging on our knees "Please Father, please... let it be; so that the world may know. So that they can see and believe."
Who the hell are we?
"Nobody," that's the answer. We are no one, simply because we do not exist... at least not anymore; crucified our own crucifixion, and now alive but in Him... therefore we are not, but Christ in us (Gal. 2: 20)
Once upon a time we were the branches (John 15: 5), and He reminded us that unless we remained in Him we could bear no fruits. Now a day has come when we have gotten so deeper that we are no longer inseparable from the vine himself; once again reunited with The Source; the Spring of the water of Life.
So who's talking when we pray "Lead Us Into Temptation?" I hear, not the voice of a mortal man, but the voice of Christ Himself... who went toe to toe with the Evil one and won, and is still winning in every battle today, and will always win... victorious for all eternity.
We are surrounded by a voracious crowd of witnesses, and I will promise you once again that the testimony they're expecting from us, no question that they will find it... and the whole world will bless our Father who is in Heaven.
Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Christ Jesus is Lord.
So why? Why ask: "Father, do not send us into the desert," when we know we cannot claim victory over Satan unless we have actually faced him and won as our Lord did?
To answer this question, one must ask themselves; "Who am I in the first place? Who is it that's talking?"
When he came to us, we were sinners, mortals both in flesh and soul. He told us that we must always pray, but we had no idea how to do that so he taught us.
As days went by, then weeks, months and years, he walked among us as if he were mortal himself, (even if we knew he was not); and then centuries after he'd gotten rid of his body, he revealed us that we too aren't mortals really, but that is: If and only if we are rooted in Him.
Still we prayed, asking: "Please do not lead us into the desert to be tempted. Please protect us from the Devil. Please keep him away from us. We can't, we don't want to face him."
But somehow, now a day has come and we don't wanna be protected anymore. Instead of asking: "Lead us not into temptation;" we're asking for more; more trials and tribulations, more temptations... screaming on top of our lungs "Bring it on!" and some of us actually begging on our knees "Please Father, please... let it be; so that the world may know. So that they can see and believe."
Who the hell are we?
"Nobody," that's the answer. We are no one, simply because we do not exist... at least not anymore; crucified our own crucifixion, and now alive but in Him... therefore we are not, but Christ in us (Gal. 2: 20)
Once upon a time we were the branches (John 15: 5), and He reminded us that unless we remained in Him we could bear no fruits. Now a day has come when we have gotten so deeper that we are no longer inseparable from the vine himself; once again reunited with The Source; the Spring of the water of Life.
So who's talking when we pray "Lead Us Into Temptation?" I hear, not the voice of a mortal man, but the voice of Christ Himself... who went toe to toe with the Evil one and won, and is still winning in every battle today, and will always win... victorious for all eternity.
We are surrounded by a voracious crowd of witnesses, and I will promise you once again that the testimony they're expecting from us, no question that they will find it... and the whole world will bless our Father who is in Heaven.
Every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Christ Jesus is Lord.