Do Not Test the Lord

The devil declared to Jesus, "If you're the son of God, tell the stone to become bread." This evil spirit also retorted, "Throw yourself from the temple and God will command His angels to guard you carefully. They will lift you and you will not strike your foot against the stone...." Jesus testimony assures mankind that He's the Son of God. His signs, wonders, and miracles throughout the Word verify this truth, yet Jesus stated to the devil, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test." What did Jesus mean? When are Christians exercising faith or detrimentally testing God? In a world of famine, pestilence, terminal illnesses, homelessness, unemployment, drug addiction, disobedient children, wars, and basically the destruction of humanity, some Christians believe that their faith or kinmanship to Abraham means God will deliver them despite of their actions. Suppose Jesus had intentionally thrown Himself from the temple (suicide), is it fair to state He proved to the devil He's a child of God and He will save Him? I believe I'm a child of God, so shall I jump from a plane without a parachute? Should I cross the street blindfolded? Should I play in deep waters, if I can't swim? Is this faith or testing God?

Statistics records suicides and drownings and I'm sure some were Christians. If I'm diagnosed with a terminal illness and refuse medical treatment, is this testing God? Meditate on the good Lord heals through people. If I'm homeless and a family finds me sleeping in their bed, because I'm a child of God will they spare me prosecution for home invasion? Some Christians may call these detrimental actions, faith, but faith without works is dead, just like common without sense. Christians cannot perpetrate such actions and expect God to save them. The good Lord's mercy and grace will prevail over your decisions, but sometimes there are consequences to endure because of our choices. Christians cannot intentionally live irresponsibly and recklessly claiming their faith will save them. I visit the water park during the summer. I believe I haven't drowned in 12 feet of water because I don't dive in. Now my faith assures me that no one will throw me in because the works is avoiding that area, that is faith. Christians must separate faith from stupidity and exercise wise, spiritual choices. If you're in a burning building, free from the fire and smoke in your vicinity that is God saving you, run for your life! You simply don't wait for Jesus to personally rescue you. Jesus said to His disciple, "Flee from here, they will not accept your testimony, you're in harms way!" Simply stated, do not test the Lord because you are failing yourself opposed to the Lord failing you, Amen.

Scriptures paraphrased from the Holy Bible.