Question: How was Christ tempted in every way we are?

Question: The Bible clearly says we are “the sons of God” (1 John:3:2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
See All...) and Christ calls us “brethren” (Hebrews:2:11-12 [11] For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, [12] Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
See All...). That’s fantastic! I’ve heard it preached that we are sons of God just like Jesus was the Son of God, and therefore as He said He could lay down His life and take it again, so can we. Christ must have surrendered Himself to the death of the cross long before He was crucified; and so must we deny ourselves and take up the cross and follow Him. Of course we fail, but wasn’t it possible for Christ to have failed also? If not, then he couldn’t have been truly tempted, or be an example for us. The Bible says, “He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews:4:15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
See All...). A major temptation I have faced has been to doubt that I am truly God’s child. I’ve had to renew my faith through the Word again and again that I am indeed a child of God.

If Christ, as the Bible says, was tempted in every way we are, wouldn’t that mean that He also had to keep renewing His faith that He truly was the Son of God? I’m not suggesting that He ever doubted it but wasn’t it a walk of faith for Him so that He had to believe what the Bible said about who He was? I’m confused, and I really want to be led of the Spirit in this matter.

Response: It is commendable to desire to be “led of the Spirit” as to whether to go to a foreign field or to serve the Lord at home, what job to take, where to live, etc. But when it comes to the doctrine of Christ, we don’t speculate and ask God to guide our thoughts—we go to His Word, trusting His Spirit to give us understanding. Not only the best but the only way to dispel your confusion is to see what the Bible says. Yes, of course there are difficult things to understand, and the Bible does say “great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh…” (1 Timothy:3:16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
See All...). But He reveals His truth to us by His Spirit through His Word (1 Corinthians:2:10-13 [10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. [11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. [12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
See All...), not to mention that a little common sense is also essential!

Both the Bible and common sense tell us that while Jesus calls us “brethren,” that does not mean we are exactly like Him. We are “of the earth, earthy”; He is “the Lord from heaven” (1 Corinthians:15:47The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the LORD from heaven.
See All...). We become sons of God—indeed, through Christ alone (John:1:12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
See All...); He is the Son of God from all eternity, absolutely unique, God’s “only begotten Son…” (John:1:14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
See All...; 3:16; 8:58; etc.). We begin our existence as “flesh and blood” creatures of time (Hebrews:2:14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
See All...), through sexual union of a man and woman and natural birth, whereas He exists “from everlasting” (Micah:5:2But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
See All...), was born into this world of “a virgin” (Isaiah:7:14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
See All...), so that as a man “through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews:2:14Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
See All...). His mission on earth was “to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew:3:15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
See All...), to “fulfill the law” (Matthew:5:17-18 [17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. [18] For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
See All...), and to fulfill “all things…written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms” (Luke:24:44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
See All...) concerning Him.