“‘You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I [Jesus] say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.” – Matthew 5:27-32
When Jesus came – He did not make right living easier
– in fact, He raised the bar on right and wrong. He took it from a list of 10
things to do and not do to a whole new level. He took it from the outside –
observable actions – to the inside – the thoughts and heart of man. Keep in mind that although the principles in
the Bible apply to all human kind, it is a revelation to the children of God
and is only “doable” by the power of God in us.
The Spiritual truth can only be understood by those who are sealed with
the Spirit of God. Those who have the mind of Christ.
“These things we also speak, not in words
which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing
spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the
things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know
them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all
things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For ‘who has known the mind
of the Lord that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” – 1
Corinthians 2:13-16
I am using the examples of adultery and divorce but
they are only two examples of the nature of sin. The sins of mankind are legion. The nature of
sin is that it is a promise of joy and peace, but its fruit is sorrow and
tribulation. There is always going to be a clash between the Lord’s design and
man’s living. It started in the Garden
and persists to this day and will persist until Jesus returns. Contrary to popular belief, people do not get
better on their own. They can want to “give peace a chance” but when it comes
down to it – peace does not have a chance in the natural world – sin gets in
the way – every time. I imagine when
some of you read the reference from Matthew 5 – you have been affected in some
way by divorce and be reminded of it. People get married for all kinds of
reasons. Love, of course, is in the mix, but love in itself is not enough to
overcome our sinful nature. I won’t pretend to understand all of the ins and
outs of divorce, especially among Christians.
I do know what I have seen and personally experienced growing up in a
divorced home. Everyone in the family is wounded by the divorce. But God is
Jehovah Rafa – the God who heals. And he can bring healing. My mom became a Christian long after her
divorce – and she had a wonderful ministry and was a godly influence on many
people. But those wounds become scars and the effects persist in the lives of
those affected throughout their – my – lifetime. God forgives us (1 John 1:9)
but does not necessarily relieve us of the consequences. But I am reminded and am thankful that … His
grace is sufficient. My point is don’t believe the lie that the “kids will be
OK” as a justification for the rightness of choosing to divorce – even if the
divorce is necessary. And it may be. But no matter, sin will bring you sorrow.
Don’t confuse the temptation to sin and sin. The
first leads to the second. Pastor Greg Laurie, when speaking of temptation and
sin said “You cannot keep a bird from flying over your head (temptation), but
you can keep it from making a nest in your hair (sin).” John cautioned us in
that regard.
“Do not love the world or the things in the
world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all
that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride
of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing
away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
– 1 John 2:15-17
Think about it – Pray about it - Believe it –
Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His
Glory Alone
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