Hebrews
13:4 “Marriage is honorable
among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God
will judge."
We have been
taking summer vacation trips to visit the parents in late June and early July,
enjoying the loving family connections, the homey familiar places and longed
for local activities. This year we spent the long July fourth holiday weekend
at beautiful Bass Lake , California
1
Timothy 4:12 “Let no one
despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in
love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
Purity and
immorality before, during and after marriage is defined by God, not man.
Fornication is sexual immorality prior to and outside the context of marriage
in thought, word or deed. Adultery is sexual immorality after marriage in
thought, word or deed. The only difference between the two sinful acts is the
two words: “I DO”. Everyone is either single or married, therefore, this message
of honoring the institution of marriage, before and after, pertains to “all”.
Singles need to act like singles before marriage as God intended from the
beginning. Married people must behave as married couples after marriage as God
intended. No matter what the dark and lawless sinful world says, the children
of God obey the holy Word of God.
Romans
12:2 “And do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
you may prove what is that good
and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Pastor Tracy stated that
when the church of Jesus Christ, not only allows the sinful messages and lies
of the God-rejecting world system to be the only message given, but also gives
consent to the sinful world’s messages by providing no opposition from the Word
of God, then the secular humanist root message that we can do whatever we want,
whenever we want, with no consequences for our wicked and rebelliously immoral
thoughts, words and actions prevails as the culture turns its back on its
Creator to worship self in the nominalization and normalization of sin (mentally,
spiritually and physically). But in the end, the powers of hell shall not
prevail (Matthew 16:18), there is
God’s judgment at the end of our days. Transformation
is needed.
1
Corinthians 6:13-20
Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the
Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord and will
also raise us up by His power. Do you not know that your bodies are
members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined
to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one
spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a
man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against
his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the
temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you
are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore
glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Question: Is their life
worth any less than ours? What does the Word of God say?
2
Peter 3:9 “The Lord is
not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not
wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Hebrews 9:27-28 It is appointed for men to die
once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear
the sins of many.
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ
also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her
with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a
glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she
should be holy and without blemish.
God instituted marriage from the beginning (Genesis 2:24 and
confirmed by Jesus in Matthews 19:7 and Mark 10:7). It is an image of our
intimate marriage relationship to our Savior and Lord. Know that the wedding of
the Lamb of God to His bride (the church) is coming and be at and a part of the
marriage party and celebration dinner reception party. There is forgiveness
offered for everyone who has done wrongful sin and fallen, and that is
everyone. The Lord is not the God of second chances either, but the God of as
many chances as we need to repent and come to a “saving” knowledge of Jesus
Christ.
2
Timothy 2:22 “Flee also
youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who
call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Accept and receive the “free” gift of salvation in the
finished work of Jesus on the Cross for our sins (John 3:16), follow the Lord
(Luke 9:23) and commit to transforming our life in purity by walking in the
Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Take a vow of purity today. Look forward and walk with
the Lord. Share it and get involved.
Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”.
In Christ, Brian
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