Resolute Conviction

Adultery, Divorce and Vows

Read: Matthew 5:27-37

"You have heard the commandment that says 'you must not commit adultery.' But I say, anyone who  has even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye-even your good eye - causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand-even your stronger hand-causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

"You have heard the law that says, 'A man can divorce his wife by merely her a written notice of divorce.' 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.

"You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ' you must not break vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.' But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, 'By heaven! ' because heaven is God's throne. And do not say, 'By the earth!' because the earth is His footstool. And do not say, 'By Jerusalem!' for Jerusalem is the city of great King. Do not eve say, "By my head! ' for you can't turn one hair white or black. But say simple, 'Yes, I will,' or 'No, I won't.' Anything beyond this is from the evil one."

Resolute Conviction

To get out of a tight spot we easily say yes, but the truth is we are not even sure if we can deliver as promise. Promises beyond our personal capability to fulfill are not only wrong but are downright sinful. We are told that our answer should be simply, 'Yes or No.' And anything beyond that is from the evil one. We must be resolute in our conviction.

How resolve are we to do the right thing?  To stand firm on your belief? There are three ways in which Jesus have told us to be resolute in our conviction, and his illustration was very practical for the application of each resolution hits closer at home, with our personal lives, the marriage.

Resolve not to sin

We are told that when a part of our body causes us to sin we must be firm not to allow it to cause us to sin further. If we must, we have to completely eliminate it from our system, even to the point of cutting it off from our body. For it is better to suffer from temporary discomfort than to allow our selves be totally drown from its consequence.

Resolve not to cause others to sin

We may have thinking that we are getting ourselves out from the problem, but if in the process we cause others to sin, then it is not worth it to act on such decision. But rather, try to resolve issues and reconcile differences.

Resolve not to fail

We must keep our words and our promise as we should. Let our answer be 'yes' if we mean yes and 'no' is we mean no. We can't be caught in the middle and be unresolved.  We must not take an oath and say 'By heaven', 'By earth', or even 'By my head'  for we don't have any power over these, we are not in control.

We must learn to be faithful with our words and our promises. So we can have a resolute conviction.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

It is not easy to be steadfast with our faith, to be firm with our belief and to be resolute conviction. But by God's grace we can. Here are some tips on how we can be resolute in our convictions.

1. Remove the things that causes you to sin. If you must, be willing to suffer temporary discomfort from its lose but you will eventually benefit more for you are saving your entire body.
2. Do not allow yourself to be the cause where others sin. Be the example of living a life of holiness and pleasant offering to the Lord.
3. Be firm with your promise. Let your 'yes' be yes and your 'no' be no.