Sermon on the Mount- What Do I Do Now?

The Sermon on the Mount is not a list of suggestions for being a better person, but a set of deep lifestyle teachings that are the "best" advice and directions to follow in our faith walk. The teaching on divorce will not be a popular topic for anyone living in our world today. Here is the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5. Matthew 5: ³¹ “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’ ³² But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.

Jesus continues the teaching on adultery in the above verses, and if you have a problem with His teaching, you might have a little too much of a carnal attitude about your life. Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit, and our desire to live according to Jesus' teaching is going to be prompted by the same Spirit. When Jesus warns about the horrible effects of adultery, He goes ahead and tells us that the result will get worse, and it will be lingering for things that we want and things we don't want. First of all, things get really confusing for the kids in the case of a divorce when there are young children still at home. It becomes difficult to keep any marriage together when the standard of commitment is compromised by an adulterous relationship and then divorce. So don't do it!! Jesus gave the warning.

We use terms like "Well, he doesn't want to be miserable and unhappy with her, so get another relationship with someone who is more pleasing and easier." Guys, if you are looking for the perfect woman, then look no more. You married her, and God knit your hearts together and made you one in purpose, one in faith, and one in love. The world's attempt to make a better relationship is "Valentine's Day," and that "holiday" is tomorrow. A weak attempt to stir a deeper walk together as a married couple. Jesus is warning about protecting the marriage relationship, and it takes both people to make it work, but God must be in the center of everything you do.

If you will live out your faith and deepen your walk with God, you will be a significant part of not only making your marriage just "work", but you will be a unified force that the devil hates, because he knows there is a strong power in the union of two hearts together serving the Lord. Divorce and adultery will not exist in that kind of relationship because the Holy Spirit is driving that marriage. Thus, the warnings and rules given by Jesus in His sermon are meant to protect and flourish that marriage union. It is time for us to be more centered on the teachings of Jesus, and then the rules will not be rules at all but encouragements for living a sold-out life of faith. Preach Jesus Preach!! Marriage. What do I do now? Grow your marriage through a deeper walk with God.

The Pilgrimage Continues,

David Warren