Word of Jesus Part 16
Mat 19:1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he
departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;
Mat 19:2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
Mat 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is
it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
Mat 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which
made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall
cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Mat 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God
hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
I think over 75 percent of the world's Christians ignore this part of the
scriptures. It has always been a great temptation to explain away or change the
scriptures to suit our own lifestyles. We must not add to or take away from the
word of God. Most prefer to explain it away and emphasis the exceptions rather
than to believe what Jesus said and accept it without question.
Mat 19:7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of
divorcement, and to put her away?
Mat 19:8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts
suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
Moses allowed exceptions to marriage vows but Jesus explains that in the
beginning God wanted a marriage to be just that; a marriage for the life of the
man and woman being married. Our wonderful God knows ahead of time what breaking
up a marriage does to a family. Children are confused and often get into trouble
later in life. I've seen this happen with my own eyes. Another reason is that
marriage is a holy union. Once you commit yourself to marriage it is for life.
If one breaks the vow of marriage, the innocent party is free but the guilty
party has committed adultery and repentance would be necessary to restore the
person back to fellowship with God. Repent means to change, turn around and
return to the ways of God rather than our own ways.
Mat 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for
fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth
her which is put away doth commit adultery.
We can't be plainer than this. If a man divorces his wife and marries someone
else he or she commits adultery. The exception is if the man's wife (woman's
husband)was guilty
of fornication.
Fornication is sexual immorality. This would include adultery, sex outside of
the sanctity of marriage, unnatural sex, homosexuality, and many other forms
done by those of a reprobate mind. Once we start down the path of fornication
our minds become reprobate and it no longer seems wrong to us. It is a dangerous
state to be in. If we find ourselves allowing things in our life that we would
have been shocked over years ago, its time to repent and get back in the
fellowship with God before our mind become completely reprobate.
This sin though was a reason to allow divorce and remarriage.
I see precious people that choose to stay single after a divorce because they
prefer not to take the chance of breaking the word of God. They are to be
commended for their restraint.
If a person does divorce and remarry contrary to the word of God, then they need
to repent and renew themselves to the fellowship of God just the same as any
other sin that breaks the law of God. I wouldn't go so far as to suggest
divorcing the second wife and destroying another family. We must always exercise
caution in all things. I've known some that have the attitude that I can divorce
remarry and then repent and make heaven my home. The whole attitude is wrong if
that is the case and the adultery is already committed in the heart and needs to
be repented of. Repent again, means to genuinely change ones mind. If one just
says they are sorry and makes no change, it is not repentance.
Mat 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his
wife, it is not good to marry.
Mat 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they
to whom it is given.
Not all people are able to live without marriage. Only those that really commit
themselves purposely to live for God and not marry who may be called to live
that way, can accomplish it in their own lives.
Marriage, however should never be forbidden to anyone as a requirement to be
used in God's service as a minister. There is nothing in the scriptures that
teach that priests, prophets and ministers should not marry. These kind of
commitments have to be voluntary.
Mat 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's
womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be
eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He
that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
That says it all. Whether to marry or not is voluntary and between us and the
Lord.
Mat 19:13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put
his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come
unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
These kind that are humble as a child and meek seeking God's presence are what
the kingdom of God is made up of. Children should never be forbidden to hear the
word of God or receive salvation.
I really pity the ones who mistakenly refuse to allow a child to pray in school,
draw a picture of Jesus or write about Jesus in their classrooms. It would be
better to be drowned in the sea than to offend a child who believes in Jesus
Christ. The courts did not rule that this is forbidden, but only state sponsored
prayer led by the teacher or principle is forbidden. Government is not to
endorse any religion. The children however, should be allowed to pray or read the
bible in school just so long as he or she does not do it in a way as to disrupt
the teacher in their duties.
Mat 19:15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
Mat 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing
shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but
one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Mat 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou
shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false
witness,
Mat 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour
as thyself.
Mat 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my
youth up: what lack I yet?
Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou
hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and
follow me.
Mat 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for
he had great possessions.
Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich
man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the
eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
We see now that it is truly a straight and narrow way to salvation. Its hard for
a rich man to enter heaven because he is trusting in his riches rather than
depending on God. He is afraid to let go of this life and trust God for eternal
life. We can keep all the commandments and still hold onto things that we love
more than Christ. That is not forsaking all to follow the Lord.
I don't want to offend anyone here but it seems to me that we are not saved by
faith alone but by faithfulness. We believe in Christ to be saved for nothing
else has the power to remove our sins and grant us eternal salvation. It is not
by our own good works apart from Christ. After we receive Christ; after trusting
in His mercy and grace, we are to be faithful to His commandments. If we do not,
we could lose our salvation. Sorry, beloved Baptists brethren in the Lord, but
this is the way I see the scriptures teach when we take all the words of Jesus
and not just one or two verses without considering all His words.
Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who
then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is
impossible; but with God all things are possible.
So we we that it is possible for any to be saved from all walks of life if they
go God's way and are faithful to Him.
Mat 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all,
and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have
followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of
his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of
Israel.
Mat 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or
father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall
receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Whatever we give up in order to remain faithful to the Lord will cause us to
inherit everlasting life. Actually we never give up anything that is worth
holding on to. In the long run, we will profit only if we let go of these things
if required in order to follow Christ. If we choose our family, our friends, our
jobs, our homes above Christ then we will end up losing them anyway because this
life is temporary. Only the things of God will stand the test of time and
judgment.
Mat 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
The last to be called or come into the kingdom shall be first and the ones that
were called first will be last.
This could mean that the Jews that were called first will be last to come into
the kingdom and the Gentiles that were called last shall be first. The Jews will
return in the latter days and they are already coming to Christ according to reports I've
heard. Praise the Lord.
