Tested Without Sinning

Tested Without Sinning

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted [tested] as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:15-16.

A person is tested innumerable times during his life, and the various age periods have their own particular tests. Our attitude of mind is being tested—whether we love God more than our desires, and whether we hate sin to the point that we would rather suffer than sin. However, it is evident that most people would rather sin than suffer. When they are tested, they sin. This is their experience from their childhood on. All this sinning makes their life so complicated that they cannot see a way out. Their life has become a tangled ball of cotton. They cannot see a solution to it, and the knots become tighter and tighter.

When people think about being tested, they think of something out of the ordinary, something unusual; yet it is the ordinary and daily things that constantly test our attitude. The fact that a person slams the door, gives a contemptuous look, speaks an unfriendly word, or gives preference to someone else is enough of a test for sin to be manifested in a person and spoil his life. Jesus was tested in all points as we are, yet without sin. Therefore we can come boldly to the throne of grace and receive the help we need at the right time. If Jesus had not been tried as we are, He would neither understand us nor come to our aid so we can endure in our trials without sinning. We are to receive grace to help in time of need. The time of need, or the right time, is not after we have fallen. The right time is when we are being tried—before the fall—to receive help to stand. Many people trust God to forgive the sin they commit during a test, but we trust in the grace that helps us not to sin in the test. In the days of His flesh Jesus offered up prayers and supplications with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death. He knows what it means to have a flesh and what it takes to overcome when you have a flesh. This gives us boldness, for we know that whatever we meet in life, Jesus was tested in it and can give us the help we need not to sin. When we have received this help, this living faith, then we can rejoice in all kinds of trials. The greater the trial, the richer our life will be.

If we are to help people, we have to be tested—yet without sinning just like Jesus did— and suffer in the flesh so as not to sin. 1 Pet. 4:1. This gives us wisdom to help people in their complicated circumstances and to loosen the knots so they can put everything right.

Many people think of preaching the gospel, but when people seek help from them when they are being tested, they cannot help them because they themselves have sinned when they were tested on the same point. Therefore they will usually say, “Do not look at yourself, but look at Jesus.” They have no solution to that messed-up ball of cotton; neither do they wish to be reminded of it. They have not seen Jesus as the High Priest who was tested in all points and can redeem them from everything. Neither do they have Jesus’ attitude that is willing to suffer in the flesh in order not to sin. That is bondage to them because they are in the flesh.

What we need in these days are witnesses who are not in the flesh, whose liberty is to keep the flesh crucified, who have been tested and have endured in their trials. It is not oratorical gifts that count, but rather daily faithfulness in innumerable tests that qualify us to help people. What Jesus can do and will help us to do is not to sin, and this is the work in which we are to be His co-workers. We are to teach men to observe all things that Jesus has commanded. Matt. 28:20.

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all [overcome in everything], to stand.” Eph. 6:13.

This is our calling. It is not too difficult, because this is precisely what Jesus came for. He overcame in everything! If only the young people in these days could be gripped of that! If they could only learn to know Jesus as the High Priest who can help them in every trial not to sin. What a bright and blessed future they would have, and what a force they would be in their days against the corruption that is reigning.

This is what we are waiting for, and we have already seen, and are seeing, that young people are awakening to the true gospel. Many have already laid hold of it and have begun to exercise themselves in godliness. They are formed in the hidden to become kings and priests for God, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, equipped to resist the demonic powers that are engulfing the earth in these last days.

It is clearly noticeable that people have become tired of empty words and honeyed phrases; they are beginning to look around for something that can help them in their practical lives. They are looking for teachers and shepherds who have endured in the hour of trial and have overcome in each temptation. The others will be trodden down like salt that has lost its flavor.