LEAST POWERFUL PEOPLE
An unusual list called The 100 Least Powerful People in the
World appeared in the online publication 24/7 Wall St. Among
those selected were corporate executives, sports figures, politicians, and
celebrities who shared one common characteristic—they used to be powerful.
Some were victims of circumstances, others made poor business decisions, while
others lost their influence because of moral failure.
In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul draws a somber lesson from Old Testament history.
The people Moses led from slavery in Egypt toward freedom in the Promised Land
kept turning their backs on God who had delivered them (vv.1-5). Idolatry,
immorality, and grumbling were among the things that brought them down
(vv.6-10). Paul points to their collapse as an example to us, and sounds this
warning: “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (v.12).
Every follower of Jesus can stand firm on God’s promise: “He will see to
it that every temptation has a way out, so that it will never be impossible for
you to bear it” (v.13 Phillips). All of us have power to influence others in
their faith. How tragic to squander it by yielding to a temptation that God has
empowered us to resist.
The best way to escape temptation is to run to God. (RBC)
