Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Adultery – Part 2



Matthew 5:27-30 “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.”

Continuing from the last post: The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “adultery” as: (1) In common usage, adultery means the unfaithfulness of any married person to the marriage bed; Infidelity to the marriage bed in either party. (2) In a scriptural sense, all manner of lewdness or unchastity, as in the seventh commandment. (3) In scripture, idolatry, or apostasy from the true God. Anything that we value more and put in front of God is “spiritual adultery” as unfaithfulness to our Creator and Heavenly Father. We sin in thought, word and deed, so the Lord Jesus Christ gives the detailed root cause of lust in our heart in this depraved sin of unfaithfulness. Lust is that concupiscence; carnal appetite; unlawful longing desire of carnal pleasure; that evil propensity; depraved affections and desires. To have carnal desire; to desire eagerly the gratification of carnal flesh appetite.
If you’ve looked upon and thought about a person with lustful desires and contemplation, then you have conceived and committed adultery in the eyes of the Lord. We do not have to physically commit the act in order to commit the sin. Fidelity is godly faithfulness. Infidelity is sinful unfaithfulness.

1 Corinthians 10:6 “Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.”

Sovereign God designed and created marriage and forbids adultery in order to safeguard this holy ordained relationship in the design of procreation. Adultery destroys the environment in which his or her spouse could experience vulnerability safely and benefit from the most profound union two people can enjoy with each other. When sin entered the world, it affected everything, including marriage, and the lust that now arises in our fallen hearts can tempt us to immorality, infidelity, unfaithfulness and adultery against (1) our spouse, (2) our fellow man and (3) God. It is not a wonder that not everyone is going to make it to Heaven; it is a wonder that anyone is going to make it to Heaven because of sin. Do we truly realize just how sinful our sins really are? Do we truly realize just how amazing God’s grace is to reach and redeem lost sinners?

Psalm 84:11 “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

To be holy is to be proper, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense, hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections. To be holy is to be hallowed; consecrated or set apart to a sacred use, or to the service or worship of God. To be holy is to be proceeding in our thoughts, words and actions from pious principles, or directed to pious purposes; as holy zeal. Sacred. We are called to be holy, as our Father in Heaven is holy. The commandment in the Law of God against such a grievous sin, which is so destructive of relationships, reminds us of the seriousness of this iniquity, trespass and transgression and sets the boundaries to preserve our well-being. Let us not fool ourselves into believing that adultery is innocent when it is not. Be faithful.

In Christ, Brian

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