Marriage and divorce (Pt. 9)

"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 5:31-32

We are nearing the end of our meditations on what Jesus said about marriage and divorce in the Sermon on the Mount and in Matthew 19:3-9.

6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."

Today’s question: If divorced persons remarry, are they entering a life of adultery? Answer: Not necessarily. There are differences of opinions. The danger when there are a variety of positions on a controversial question is to choose the one we like best. Our responsibility is to prayerfully look at all that God’s Word says on the matter and ask for biblical wisdom.

One thing is for sure: In some cases the remarriage is adultery. Otherwise, why would Jesus have said so on two separate occasions?

As for the occasions when the remarriage is not adultery, some say a first marriage that ends due to anything but a death cannot be followed by any second marriage. I believe the Bible teaches otherwise. As much as a divorce for biblical grounds is lamentable, it appears to me that Jesus (and Paul in 1 Corinthians 7), makes allowance for remarriage as long as the divorce was for biblical grounds.

Others make additional allowance if the first marriage and divorce took place before a person was born again. After all, when we come to Christ, we enter a new life and past sins are wiped away. This would suggest that getting married again is permissible. I would add that if both parties become saved, reconciliation and remarriage may be an option to explore.

To that I would add that the Old Testament law (Deuteronomy 24:1-4) disallows remarrying a former spouse who has been married to another in the meantime. I honestly cannot say whether that principle does or does not apply to New Testament believers, assuming former divorces were based on biblical grounds, and whether the parties were saved or became saved later. Complicated isn’t it? No wonder God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16)!

But what if former divorces were not for biblical grounds and the person was a believer when the divorces took place? Next time…

Marriage and divorce (Pt. 8)

"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 5:31-32

We are in the midst of exploring what Jesus said about marriage and divorce in Matthew 19:3-9. This time we’ll focus on what Jesus said about “grounds” for divorce in verses 6-9.

6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."

Are there biblical “grounds” for divorce? Though some may say, No, I believe the biblical answer is Yes. Rather than go back over what was written in Part 2 of this series on marriage and divorce, let’s move forward past the obvious biblical grounds for divorce, which is sexual infidelity. (Go back and read Part 2 if you can.)

Traditionally, Christians have said abandonment is also a biblical grounds for divorce. Is that true? Possibly in some cases, but it is never stated explicitly in the Bible. What is stated in 1 Corinthians 7:12-15 is as follows:

12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

From this, we can deduce that if (and only if ) an unbelieving spose leaves or divorces a believing spouse, the believing spouse is free (presumably to divorce). There are several “howevers” that beg to be mentioned.

(1) This does not mean the spouse who has been left must divorce. He or she may certainly remain married, praying that the unbelieving spouse may repent, and hopefully get saved, and return. There is no set amount of time after which the believing spouse is free to divorce, but since he or she could have divorced already, he or she may opt to do so later as well.

(2) This does not mean a married believer can drive a nonbelieving spouse away so he or she can blame the breakup on the nonbeliever.

(3) There is another scenario which is rather complex. Husband and wife both profess faith in Christ. One is in serious sin from which he or she refuses to repent. In such cases the elders of the church should proceed with the appropriate steps of church discipline, officially calling the one in sin to repent. Eventually (and this must not be rushed!), if the one in sin refuses to repent, he or she may end up being excommunicated. Jesus and Paul both said the one who is excommunicated is to be treated as an unbeliever (Matthew 18:17, 1 Corinthians 5:11). Some argue in such cases the believing spose may divorce the the one who has been excommunicated, since he or she is now considered to be an unbeliever. This is not explicitly taught in scripture. I believe that it is implicitly taught and that this scenario can be defended. However this is not a loophole to be exploited, nor is it to done in haste.

Next time: What about Jesus’ words (Matthew 5:32, & 19:9) regarding those who divorce unbiblically being in adultery?

Marriage and divorce (Pt. 7)

"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 5:31-32

We are in the midst of exploring what Jesus said about marriage and divorce in Matthew 19:3-9. This time we’ll focus on what Jesus said about divorce in verses 6-9.

6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." 7 They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" 8 He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."

Here are the first three key points about divorce according to Jesus:

(1) When a man and a woman are married, the two become one flesh (c.f., Genesis 2:24). (2) This union is accomplished by God in a spiritual sense. (3) What God unites, man has no authorization to separate.

Do not miss that biblical marriage is only always between one man and one woman who are husband and wife.

Matthew 19:4-5 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE,' 5 and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH' ?

ANY other combination is NOT biblical and is therefore NOT marriage—no matter what anyone says or what laws are passed.

It is ironic that opponents of marriage often claim that “marriage is a man-made institution.” That God unites a husband and wife (according to Jesus) makes it clear that biblical marriage is not of human origin.

Meanwhile opponents of biblical marriage (one man and one woman) seek to redefine marriage legally, which makes their feeble attempts to overrule God regarding marriage, nothing but a man-made institution.

The uniting of husband and wife as one is of a spiritual nature. Clearly, the two have distinct bodies and retain their separate identities, but become one in a spiritual sense. This is in keeping with the fact that marriage is a picture of the union of Christ and His Church. The Church is united with Christ (John 17:21) in a manner similar to the way that the three Members of the Trinity are One, yet Three: “distinct, yet never separated.”

And by the way, Jesus will never divorce His church (Hebrews 13:5)—even though He has cause!

More on biblical grounds for divorce next time.

Marriage and divorce (Pt. 6)

"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 5:31-32

We are in the midst of exploring what Jesus said about marriage and divorce in Matthew 19:3-9. Particularly Matthew 19:4-6:

And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE,' and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH' ? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

Last time we pointed out what is abundantly clear on its own: There are only two genders. Male and female. Additionally, gender is not a social construct and people cannot change genders no matter how much hormone therapy and or body mutilation they undergo. What has this to do with marriage? Much—in fact, everything.

Like gender, marriage is not a social construct. Both were ordained and established by God in the first two chapters of the Bible. You may disagree with what the Bible says, but this is precisely what it says.

And for what purpose did God ordain and establish marriage? Here are three answers:

Special companionship. After creating Adam, God declared that it is not good for man to be alone. And then He created Eve, a woman. Why did God not create another man? Because according to God, humans need special companionship that cannot be found with another of the same gender. This marriage relationship between a man and a woman is so special that God refers to it as the unification of two people (1 male and 1 female) who in marriage become one flesh (cf. Genesis 2:24). This life-long union is to be exclusive until one of the persons dies (cf. Romans 7:1-3).

Procreation. The first commands given to human beings in Genesis 1:28 includes the mandate to be fruitful and multiply. Though God created sexual intimacy to be desirable and pleasurable, it does not mean there is no greater purpose. It is through sexual intimacy that human beings are to propagate the human race, and this requires a male and a female. (Those who deny this fact are either ignorant or mentally ill.)

Christ and His Church. The greatest purpose for marriage is that it is a God-ordained living parable about Christ’s love for His Church. Jesus is the Groom and the Church is His Bride. There is only one groom and there is only one bride who are united—not just for life (as is the case of marriage between two mere mortals), but the marriage of Christ and His Church is for eternity. This sinful world has continued to try to redefine marriage as something other than what God ordained. Every such attempt has not only defaced marriage as God ordained, it has also distorted the parable of Christ and His love for His Bride, the Church.

What about divorce? More next time. 

Marriage and divorce (Pt. 5)

"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 5:31-32

We are in the midst of exploring what Jesus said about marriage and divorce in Matthew 19:3-9:

Last time we emphasized the importance of conserving the earliest truths God has established in the opening chapters of Genesis, contrasted with the danger of progressing by abandoning those same truths. This time, let’s take note of what truths God established regarding marriage that Jesus noted in Matthew 19. First, there are two, and only two genders: male and female.

Matthew 19:4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE,'

To not know and understand this most basic truth is to be deluded on at least two levels.

It is true because God’s Word declares it.

It is true because biology confirms and demands it. Human reproductivity has only happened as a result of a man and woman joining in sexual intimacy. It only happens for that reason and it will never happen except for that reason. Sure, mad scientists are bent on creating life apart from this God-ordained method, but like the fabled Dr. Frankenstein, they will only end up creating a monster. This biological truth is not limited to human beings. Virtually every species of plant and animal life reproduces on a two-gender basis. Those who cite an obscure one-cell organism, or a mollusk in the depths of the ocean that happens to be gender neutral—and who insist on making an exceedingly rare exception to the rule—only succeed in revealing how determined they are to ignore what is obvious even to children. No, gender is not a social construct. It is a theological and immutable, scientific truth.

The idea that one can change genders is both wrong and foolish. One’s DNA, found in every cell in every body, is indelibly stamped either male or female. No amount of drug or hormone therapy, and no amount of body mutilation can change DNA. That these measures are irreversible only compounds the tragic destruction of the lives of those who undergo such ghastly procedures.

Shouldn’t we support those who suffer from gender dysphoria? Yes! But not by cheering them down paths of delusion and destruction. Rather, we must compassionately support them with the truth.

Next time, what does gender have to do with marriage?

Marriage and divorce (Pt. 4)

"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 5:31-32

We are in the midst of exploring what Jesus said about marriage and divorce in Matthew 19:3-9:

Matthew 19:4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE,'

Last time we mentioned the fact that Jesus identifies one of our common problems: Not reading, and therefore not knowing what God says in His Word. (Go back to read yesterday’s blog if you missed it.)

Next, do not miss that Jesus goes back to the beginning, to Genesis, for God’s baseline for truth. There are more truths (often unknown to many believers) in the first eleven chapters of Genesis that establish the necessary ground floor for numerous matters of Christian faith and practice. God, and the truths He established in the beginning, have not changed.

A basic difference between “conservative” and “progressive” Christians is that conservatives are committed to conserving ancient, established truth. Progressives are committed to reinventing all things new—loving change for change sake. When it comes to what God established in the beginning, we are wise to be conservative—sticking to what He has said. Likewise, we are foolish to disregard what God has established in favor of new ideas and practices based on ever-changing cultures driven by fallen people.

Jesus referred back to creation and the establishment of marriage (as did Paul in 1 Timothy 2:13). When considering just about anything, we do well to ask ourselves if the issue is established in the opening chapters of Genesis. If it is, don’t seek to change it!

That is a little about the importance of going back to the beginning. Next time, what did God establish about marriage from the beginning?

Marriage and divorce (Pt. 3)

"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 5:31-32

What did Jesus say about marriage and divorce in Matthew 19:3-9?

Matthew 19:3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?"

Jesus’ spiritual enemies were not asking because they honestly wanted an answer. They asked “testing Him,” hoping to trip Him up. How can sinful people trip God up? Obviously they can’t!

Their question stemmed from their unbiblical traditions about marriage that allowed a man to divorce his wife for “any reason,” so long as he completed the necessary paperwork.

Add to that, the fact that only the husband (not the wife) had this easy way out!

Matthew 19:4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE,'

Jesus answer begins answering their question with a question, “Have you not read…?” Who even knows what percentage of the problems Christians wrestle with are due to not having read, and therefore not knowing what God’s Word says? I will not pretend to know the actual percentage, but 40 years of experience as a pastor confirms that a super-majority of believers’ problems are due to NOT reading and therefore NOT knowing what God’s Word says. And consider the fact that because of when and where we live, we are surrounded by Bibles.

Which camp are you in? Are you in the camp of those who are reading and learning what God’s Word says in order to know what God says, or are you in the camp of those are clueless because of neglect? (By the way, people in this second category usually do not know how much they do not know!) What do you intend to do about that?

There is a second vitally important talking point in Matthew 19:4. We’ll consider that next time.

Marriage and divorce (Pt. 2)

"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 5:31-32

Speaking of loophole mentality, sadly, a fair number of Christians look at Jesus’ words regarding “biblical grounds” for divorce as a loophole to be exploited. Here, and elsewhere in scripture, a biblical grounds for divorce is a breaking of the marriage covenant through adultery (sexual sin), but is it a loophole?

Many years ago I counseled a woman in a bad disastrous marriage to an abusive unbelieving husband. She told me that a Christian friend asked her if her husband had been sexually unfaithful. The wife answered, “No.” “Darn!” erupted the friend. “We can't use that!” Though possibly well intentioned, this friend was hoping to use adultery as a convenient “loophole.” What should we understand about adultery as a biblical grounds for divorce? Two things:

First, it is permitted, but it is certainly not commanded. In other words, sexual unfaithfulness merely allows the spouse who was wronged in this way to divorce the guilty spouse.

Second, Jesus explained (Matthew 19:3-9) that though divorce was allowed, it is greatly preferred that the spouse, who was sinned against, forgive the guilty spouse. The provision of sexual infidelity was therefore allowed because of the “hardness of our hearts” (v.8) when one cannot muster the grace to forgive.

God knows how deeply this kind of sin hurts the one who has been violated. After all, scripture routinely calls sins against God, spiritual harlotry/adultery. How many times everyday do God’s people sin against God and thereby commit spiritual harlotry? And how many times does He forgive us? And are we not to forgive as we have been forgiven? (Ephesians 4:32) So then, forgiveness is to be preferred over divorce.

“But it is hard!” Sure it is. Marriage is hard. Christianity is hard. Didn’t Jesus tell those who were considering following Him:

Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Jesus gave permission, but the greater weight of scripture pleads for forgiveness.

What if the offending party proves to be a serial adulterer, sinning and “repenting” over and over. Such cases can wear anyone down—which is why the Lord allowed this particular “grounds” for divorce.

More on what Jesus said in Matthew 19 next.

Marriage and divorce (Pt. 1)

"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 5:31-32

The common practice in Jesus’s day was that a man could divorce his wife for virtually any reason (real or made up), so long as he did the proper paperwork. He had merely to give her walking papers. This mentality reveals a sinister mindset regarding loopholes.

Take this simple test to see if you are one in whom this mindset resides: Am I more likely to evaluate every situation by asking “How holy can I possibly be?” or “How close may I get to sin and get away with it?”

Stated another way, which best describes your heart toward making decisions in life: (1) Do I get to please God with righteous living?” or (2) “Have I got to do certain things to be OK with God?”

So before commenting on marriage in particular, where is your heart regarding living for Jesus? Is it a matter of get to or a matter of got to? Honestly.

The mindset in Jesus day regarding marriage was, “Thank God for the loophole demanding a bit of paperwork that will allow me to divorce.” Among many who claim to be Christians today, the same loophole mindset pervades just about any and every area of life.

Dear God, change our hearts that we would want to follow You no matter the cost, instead of rejoicing that we can sin, and still be saved.

Adultery and lustful thoughts (Pt. 5)

"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.
Matthew 5:27-30

Lastly for this section of the Sermon on the Mount, I want to share something I heard earlier this week on Al Mohler’s podcast, “The Briefing.” There is a difference between what is illegal and what is sinful.

Legality is about actions. Sin is likewise about actions, but sin is also about the thoughts, desires, and intentions of our hearts and minds.

Just because something is legal, it may still be sinful. Many, maybe even most, people think if the government decriminalizes, or even legalizes and subsidizes something, it must not be sinful. Incorrect! Many things that are legal are grossly sinful in God’s eyes. If you need examples, how about prostitution, the recreational use of mind-altering drugs, and at the top of the heap: abortion? Sadder still, the fact that society buys the lie that if it is legal it must not be sinful—I shudder to think of how many Christians accept the same lie.

The law cannot (and must not) criminalize thoughts. To do so is a serious overreach because we cannot, and neither can the state, know our minds accurately. But God can, and does (Jeremiah 17:9-10). So, while we should not have to fear the state when it comes to our thoughts, we do well to fear God who knows our every thought, even before think them!

Human laws are important, but they are incomplete and unable to create a truly righteous person or body of people. While human laws cannot accurately judge our hearts, neither can they change people’s hearts. Even God’s revealed written law cannot change hearts. God’s law was never intended to save or change hearts (Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16). It only exposes our desperate need for a Savior, Jesus (Galatians 3:24). It is only as we are born again, and given new hearts and affections for the things of the Lord, that anyone is saved and has a true desire to obey both the letter and the spirit God’s law.

Adultery and lustful thoughts (Pt. 4)

"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.
Matthew 5:27-30

I want to share two follow-up thoughts to yesterday’s post about the necessity of being willing to take drastic steps regarding our struggle against sin. Note that in both of Jesus’ hyperbolic examples (plucking out eyes and cutting off hands), the goal is to escape being cast into Hell.

First, from a gospel standpoint, nothing one can do, including plucking out eyes and severing hands, will ever get anyone into Heaven. The one and only purchase price to enter Heaven is the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. He was “cut off” for us, in our place. His sacrifice was infinitely more than the the horrors of physical crucifixion. In addition to the physical suffering, He bore the infinite and eternal wrath of God to pay the actual penalty for the sins committed by those He came to save. We receive the benefit of what Christ has done, not by maiming our bodies, but by trusting in Christ alone—a trust that includes repentance.

Second, once we are saved—and completely and forever forgiven of every one of our sins (including those we have not yet committed)—then begins the process of sanctification. This process lasts a lifetime as we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice and are being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2). This process includes, and depends on, our willingness to take whatever steps necessary to live victoriously over sin. Disfiguring our bodies will not help, nor does God want us to mar the temples of our bodies. But we must be willing to take whatever steps we must to defeat the temptations and sins from which we suffer.

In the immediate context, Jesus was talking about sexual sin. This area of sin may be more of a struggle for some than for others. If you are one for whom this struggle is particularly acute, to follow Jesus’ instruction, you have decisions to make: What steps must you take to avoid this temptation and escape this kind of sin? Do you need an accountability partner or partners? Do you need to limit (cut off?) access to the internet? How seriously must we take this? As seriously as if we were to maim our bodies—without actually doing so physically. Sexual sin—even when it is not physical, but merely a matter of our eyes and minds—will not send a child of God to Hell. But it will ruin your life. Decide. Jesus or your sin? And ask for counsel. Discretion is promised.

Adultery and lustful thoughts (Pt. 3)

"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.
Matthew 5:27-30

Next Jesus addresses how seriously we should be in our struggle against sin, whether sins committed physically, or in the secret recesses of our hearts: At all costs!

Jesus employs the literary device of hyperbole. Hyperbole is overstating a point to make the point dramatically. When Jesus bids us to pluck out sinful eyes and cut off sinful hands, He is clearly speaking hyperbolically. How do we know this?

There is nothing in the Bible that suggests that God receives delight in our self-disfigurement. Beyond that, since the point Jesus is making is about the connection between sins committed physically and sins committed in our hearts, why would He suggest a physical solution to a spiritual problem?

I remember reading Joni Eareckson Tada’s autobiography, “Joni.” In the book about her being paralyzed, she shared coming to the realization that she was capable of sinning even though she could do nothing physically. All sin is a heart problem before the body is involved.

Jesus’ point is not to get us to disfigure ourselves in our warring with our sin. It is to get us to see how radically we must be prepared to be in that war. Our desperation to turn from sin is to be so serious that it is as though we would be willing to disfigure ourselves. We must strive against sin at all costs. And though this striving includes denying ourselves physically, the battle is a spiritual battle.

This principle is true when it comes to sexual sin, but it is no less true regarding any and every kind of sin.

Adultery and lustful thoughts (Pt. 2)

"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.
Matthew 5:27-30

Is it true that everybody has condemning lustful thoughts? Jesus didn’t—and He, not everybody else, is the standard before all who will be judged and condemned. But praise God that Jesus’ sinless life qualified Him to be our Savior, as He bore the punishment His people deserve so He could give the reward of His righteousness to those He came to save.

That Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, except He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15), reveals that temptation is not sin. Succumbing to temptation is sin. Therefore, we are not condemned for being tempted in the direction of having lustful thoughts. But there is a razor thin line that separates being tempted and dwelling on lustful thoughts (even if only briefly).

Martin Luther is cited as having said, “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.” The sentiment is true, but we need to beware: fleeting thoughts can begin nesting at once if we are not diligent to shoo them away—immediately! Oh, that we would all be proactive about avoiding even what leads us into temptation. May we pray, as Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:13, “Lead us not into temptation.”

Because failure is so common—especially in our day of widespread public immorality and instant internet—wisdom would have us do all we can to keep the birds from flying over our heads as well. And because failure is so common, this is why we need a Savior, not only for forgiveness of sin, but also to transform our hearts so that we may be increasingly more adept and “going and sinning no more” (John 8:11).

Adultery and lustful thoughts (Pt. 1)

"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. Matthew 5:27-30

Once again Jesus contrasts what people have heard other people say with what Jesus, who is Almighty God, says. Jesus has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).

As with His words connecting murder with sinful anger, here Jesus connects adultery with lustful thoughts. Again, we are reminded that while all sins are not equally damaging, they are equally damning. Clearly, the harm done by physical acts of adultery and their ramifications are worse than mere lustful thoughts. However, in God’s eyes, because sinful actions begin in the heart, the heart deserves condemnation for contemplating adultery, even if one does not commit the act.

The fact that sin is universal does nothing to minimize its damning effect. So to say, “Everybody has had lustful thoughts,” does nothing to reduce the penalty for breaking the sixth of the Ten Commandments regarding adultery, whether physically or mentally. Rather, it serves only to underscore the fact that everyone is condemned by their sin.

Is it true that “everybody does it?” Next time…

Murder and sinful anger (Pt. 6)

Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. Matthew 5:25-26

The next observation of this passage is that Jesus used a rather serious illustration to make His point. It involved the potential of going to court, over money, resulting in someone going to prison, possibly for a long time.

The illustration makes the point, but the illustration is not the point. The point of the passage is that unresolved conflicts and/or unforgiveness, whether great or small, erect barriers that stand in the way of true worship of God. Remember Psalm 66:18, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear [my prayer].”

Lastly, the reference to never getting out of prison has been widely accepted as having ultimate fulfillment eternal judgment. The Baker NT Commentary states:

It is clear that the words of the Lord have a deeper meaning. In the final analysis he is speaking not about an earthly but about the heavenly judge; nor about an earthly jail but about hell.

Let us not minimize the gravity of Jesus words about the consequences of sinful anger.

Murder and sinful anger (Pt. 5)

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:23-26

Two more thoughts about reconciliation with other people. (1) I was once approached by a brother in the Lord (who I hardly knew and who was not from our church) who informed me that he had never liked me but the had changed his mind and wanted to ask my forgiveness for disliking me for no real reason. I knew nothing about this man’s animosity toward me. I asked why he was telling me this cheery news. He cited Matthew 5:23-24. I told him he was forgiven.

Though this man thought he was obeying the words of Jesus, he was not. I suppose he felt better, but as for me, not so much. It was neither the time nor the place for me to explain the right way to have handled the root of bitterness this fellow had regarding me.

Here is a principle in cases like this: “The circle of confession should be no larger than the circle of sin.” His sin was not about me, nor did it affect me. His was a heart problem, and since God knows our hearts, he would have been wiser to have confessed his sin to God, repented, and left it at that. Telling me may have made him feel better but there was no redeeming value in dragging me into it.

(2) Some teach that we do not need to forgive if the one who wronged us refuses to repent. I was taught this, and so in my youth I taught this. Twenty or so years ago at a home fellowship, this subject came up. A man in the HF said he believed we must forgive whether or not the person who sinned against us repents, but that we are not likely to be reconciled until there is repentance. I had never thought about the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation in those terms. The Lord used that brother at HF to change my mind.

Forgiveness is a one-way transaction. We are to forgive as Christ Jesus has forgiven us, lest a root of bitterness invades our hearts. Because reconciliation between two people is a two-way transaction, unless there is repentance we may not reach the point of true reconciliation—but I would agree that we must forgive others as Christ has forgiven us—even if the other person remains unrepentant. Reconciliation between two people depends on both parties, and neither party can force the other into reconciliation.

Next time, back to observations on Matthew 5:23-26.

Murder and sinful anger (Pt. 4)

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.
Matthew 5:23-26

There are several issues contained in these four verses:

First, that (v.23) begins with the word “therefore,” connects (v.23-26) to the matter addressed in (v.21-21): sinful anger and murder. In these four verses Jesus is “fleshing out” further application.

Second, Jesus makes it clear that when we are not right with others, we are not right for worship. Of course we cannot always be reconciled with others if they are unwilling. The point is that we who worship God must be the ones to do what we can to initiate and bring about reconciliation. As Paul admonishes in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

Third, note that Jesus is speaking about when someone else is at odds with you, not merely when you are at odds with someone else. This means we are to care what others think about us—especially if we have done something to give offense. In some cases we may have given offense and therefore we are the ones who must seek to make things right by humbling ourselves and asking for forgiveness. But according to Jesus we must seek to clear things up either way. If we did no wrong to warrant offense (but an offense has been supposed), we must still be the ones to initiate reconciliation, humbling ourselves while seeking clarification. And what if we are not guilty of wrong doing, but the other person insists we are? We need not admit guilt for what we have not done, but we whether reconciliation can be achieved or not, we can and should seek forgiveness for having offended (even if we have done no wrong).

Jesus’ words are clear that we are to go to the other person, not because we have an issue with them, but because the other person has an issue with us. However, I believe that if we have an issue with another person, we need to get that cleared up as well. How to do this without making matters worse: Next time.

Murder and sinful anger (Pt. 3)

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Matthew 5:21-22

Jesus’ words about saying, “Raca,” or “You fool,” are not intended to be a specific detailed list of what we can and cannot say. This instruction is intended to be an illustrative principle to show us:

1. How close what we say reveals sinful hatred in our hearts.

2. How something as seemingly inconsequential as name calling is so incredibly serious in the eyes of God.

While the warning about these words instructs us to “mind our words,” more importantly these warnings instruct us to “mind our hearts.” Why? Because as dangerous as our words can be, we are guilty in our hearts long before any words escape our lips.

Once again, because we cannot change our hearts (Jeremiah 17:9-10), we need a Savior who can forgive our sins and change our hearts. His name is Jesus.

The spiritual significance of Labor Day

Rob Pacienza, pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian church, wrote the following about the connection between work and worship:

Ask any secular American what Labor Day means to them, and he or she will likely say that it’s one last opportunity to relax and party at the end of the summer. Ask any Christian American, and he or she will likely say the same.

Even though Labor Day is a secular holiday, the idea is a good one, and Christians have more reason to celebrate it than anyone else.

Labor Day was first deemed a national holiday in 1894 by President Grover Cleveland. At the time, the country was in the midst of …

Click Here to finish reading this important God-honoring article.

I did not feel it right to put someone else’s brief article in my blog, but I hope you will invest the 4 minutes it takes to read Pastor Pacienza’s encouraging words about work and worship.

Murder and sinful anger (Pt. 2)

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder,’ and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Matthew 5:21-22

What is the similarity and the difference between murder and sinful anger? As I have said for years, “All sins are equally damning (before God), but not all sins are equally damaging (in practice).” While the meaning of those words is likely to be crystal clear on their own, let me explain it a little further. Forgive me if what I say is obvious to you, as it might not be equally obvious to everyone.

In God’s eyes, sinful anger and murder both deserve to be condemned. This is why some people say “all sin is equally sinful.” While that is true in one sense—since even the most minor sin deserves God’s wrath—there is another sense in which there are degrees of sin based on the damage they cause.

Sinful anger/hatred toward another person is much less damaging than acting on that hate to the extent of committing homicide. Not only is the life that was taken over, consider how many other people are adversely affected by a murder! Consider also the fact that the murderer is forever affected by the fact that he or she took the life of a fellow human being. And what about God? As much as God hates sinful anger/hatred, when one He created in His image is murdered, His holy image is desecrated!

Thus, while all sin is equally damning, all sin is not equally damaging. And as this concept is well illustrated by sinful anger/hatred and murder, it is no less true in a myriad of other examples in which heart sins are the same, yet different, from acting on those heart sins.

Let us guard our hearts from committing sins of the heart, while understanding how much more damage we cause when acting on our hearts’ sins. And let us walk closely with, and confess our sins quickly to, our forgiving Savior!