Law of God | December 23
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
”But I 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
Jesus, again, Your teachings are not unclear; demanding but not unclear. Why Jesus do You place such emphasis on fidelity? Is it because marriage between a man and woman, where two become as one, is a parallel of our fidelity to You, where Your Spirit lives in us and if we were to show infidelity towards You, it would be a great offense? We know that infidelity towards You, after Your Spirit has been united with our spirit, is the only unforgivable sin.
Jesus, many have failed in keeping their marriage vows and You teach here that it is Your will that marriages be sustained and that families remain in tact. Jesus, we know that infidelity to one another is one of the worst things that can happen to a relationship. Where we have failed, forgive us. Renew in us a will to be persons of faith and integrity, now, even if we have failed before.
Jesus, sexual sin is pervasive in our times. Help us flee from such persons and activities. Turn our eyes, not to matters of the flesh of others, but to our marriage mates, the only persons with whom we have perfect sexual freedom. If we could but adhere to Your expectations Jesus, our marriages to each other would last and our fidelity to You and what You have taught us would endure.
Lead us to perfection in You we pray. Where we have failed to be obedient before, now cleanse us and lead us in paths of righteousness. What a miracle, that You are willing to do so, regardless of our past. In Your Holy name we pray, amen.
Bruce Caldwell
The Sola Scriptura Project
