The Way of Escape

What is the purpose of, “the way of escape,” within a trial of faith? This, “way of escape,” is not usually a way OUT of the trial. Indeed, the verse says that the way of escape is so that, “we may be able to BEAR IT.” Does that sound like the way of escape is a way OUT of the trial? No. This, “Way of escape,” is a way to abide by faith in Christ DESPITE the trial. God will teach us how to BEAR the trial by faith so that we can live above the intent of the enemy — and find life in Christ.

Jesus Christ – our life in Him by faith – IS our Way of escape. He is our HIDING PLACE. God does not remove the trial from us. Rather, He removes us from the trial – not circumstantially – but by revealing to us His Son in a way that enables us to live in Christ by faith ABOVE the trial. In short, we ESCAPE the work of the enemy in a trial through resurrection life of Christ.

Our flesh doesn’t want to hear this, but we need to ask: What is the greater victory — to escape every problem? Or to be able to stand by faith in Christ despite every problem? Obviously, the latter — if I can live through a trial without allowing that trial to come between myself and God — because I am giving myself to God — then there is true victory. Victory is when God gets HIS GLORY in us through Christ. It is never achieved by running away from the enemy. It is realized by facing the enemy head on and seeing victory in Christ.

Is this not what it means to, “overcome?” We don’t overcome in Christ by avoiding trouble. Neither do we overcome by surrendering to the trouble, or to the trial. We overcome by, “coming under,” Jesus Christ, despite the trial. We lose ourselves to Christ within the trial and find Him as our life and victory. He is our WAY of escape — and this is how God uses trials to form Christ in us.