Matthew 5:27–32
We live in a time of constant exposure to explicit videos and pictures online. Walking through the grocery store can bring us face-to-face with lustful temptation. Jesus tells us that even lust without the act of adultery is adultery, and we should throw away our eye or cut off our right hand if they cause us to stumble. What? How can we escape this temptation when it is all around us? God wants us to guard our hearts and be prepared to obey his commandments. He loves us and wants what is best for us.
Divorce is all around us. Does anyone really get married with the intention of getting divorced someday? I know people who have gotten married, scared of the thought, “What if this doesn’t work out?” I know people who have avoided marriage because of the fear of it ending in divorce and all that entails. I know marriages that struggle because Christ is not the center of that union.
Divorce has been around for thousands of years. Jewish people in the first century disagreed on what counts as a valid reason for divorce. While some believed divorce was only allowed for sexual immorality, others permitted it for issues like childlessness, a bad reputation, or even ruining food.
Genesis tells us of God’s creation of male and female. He blessed them and told them to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. God saw that it was good. God’s design for marriage was good until sin entered the picture. Sin brought lust, temptation, adultery, and divorce into the world. “The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that you may have life and have it to the fullest.” John 10:10
God, our loving Father, gave us laws and commandments, even these rules on adultery and divorce, because He loves us and wants what is best for us. As a mom, I am sure my kids thought my rules were just to punish them. But they were meant to protect them, give them security, and help them have the best life. I love enough to want the best for them.
God wants what is best for us, too. We need to continue to seek God’s Wisdom in His Word to prepare ourselves to face not only the sins of the world but also our own sin and the temptations that will come. Keep your eyes on Jesus and hold onto the love of our Father in Heaven and His amazing grace so that you can have life to the fullest.
Bev Pacas
Camp Director
Moses Merrill Camp & Conference Center