Tag: Sin is Serious to God - Matthew 5-7

Matthew 5:27-30

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Tag:  Sin is Serious to God

“How many times have I committed adultery?”  If the average man was asked this question, most would say, in shock, none (undoubtedly too many would have to say “yes, multiple times” to that question).   But, the standard by which a man would measure themselves is, most likely, not the same standard outlined in the above words of Jesus.   In Jesus’ message on the Mount (known as “The Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7), the measurement of adultery is tied to the looking at a woman to lust after her.   To God’s standards, simply looking at a woman to lust after her, is the EXACT same as adultery to God.   It is doubtful if any man, on this earth, would hold to such a standard.   Jesus’ teaching in this message is that the “Law” is not being replaced ... it is being expanded to include, not just behavior, but heart intent.   God knows that the evil of behavior is preceded by the evil of the heart.  Note what Job said, in his pain, about this subject:

Job 31:1-7

“I have made a covenant with my eyes;

how then could I gaze at a virgin?

What would be my portion from God above

and my heritage from the Almighty on high?

Is not calamity for the unrighteous,

and disaster for the workers of iniquity?

Does not he see my ways

and number all my steps?

“If I have walked with falsehood

and my foot has hastened to deceit;

(Let me be weighed in a just balance,

and let God know my integrity!)

if my step has turned aside from the way

and my heart has gone after my eyes,

and if any spot has stuck to my hands,

God judges us for our evil hearts!!  We have to have Christ purify our hearts.   That is the necessity of the Gospel.   But, it begins with us realizing that we have sinned.  How many times have I committed adultery, by allowing my evil heart to run lose and absence the power of the Gospel.