Thought for the Week

We love and please God by obeying Him. Of course that is not only what God wants, it is good for us as well. I acknowledge it is hard because of our “fallen nature.” But think how wonderful our world would be if we all obeyed God’s commandments. In a recent message, our bishop said, “If we all obeyed God’s commands to live a chaste life, we would see the end of all Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).” Think about it. God says, “Do not commit adultery” and “Avoid fornication.” The basic meaning for both adultery and fornication, is to have sexual relationship with someone who is not their spouse. So, to avoid adultery and fornication means a male virgin marries a female virgin and never has a sexual relationship with anyone but that one person for a lifetime. Ask God to guide you to each other. If that is so, there can be no STD. This would contribute to physical health and wellness, and go a long way toward maintaining mental and emotional health. It would also avoid the financial costs associated with STDs and contraception. People who want to be promiscuous may argue against what I have just said. But I believe if you were to consult a medical doctor, they would tell you almost any male and female can have a satisfactory sexual relationship and procreate children. Of course good relationships are based on more than sexual activity. Good relationships require good communication, gentleness, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and more. Without these things, any relationship will face difficulty. With them, good relationships are very likely. This is only one place where obedience to God’s commandments brings blessing. We know the Old Testament gives us Ten Commandments and also expands them with a host of other lesser commands. The New Testament condenses them into Two Commands, “Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.” When He was accused of intending to destroy God’s Laws, Jesus clearly said He had not come to destroy the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them. We watch and listen to Him and note He had a much higher valuation on the Law and Prophets than those who were accusing Him of breaking them. They maintained the strict “Letter of the Law” but certainly not the spirit. There are two primary illustrations of this found in what we call “The Sermon on the Mount” as recorded in St. Matthew chapters five through seven. First focus: “Thou shalt not kill.” Jesus expands that greatly by teaching that we should not only not kill but should not be angry without cause toward, should not mock or curse others, and in another place tells us we should love our brother, our neighbor, and even our enemy and should do good to them in whatever way possible. The other teaching He quotes, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Then He expands that telling us we should not look lustfully at another person, for in doing so we are committing adultery with them in our heart and mind. I recently got this prayer request: “Pray for authentic faith to be formed in the hearts and minds of people in America, seeking God and finding fellowship with His Son!” Passing good laws is O.K. but asking God to change our hearts to love Him and others is much better.

Scriptures to Read

St. Matthew 5:16-20

St. Matthew 5:21-26

St. Matthew 5:27-32

Exodus 20:3-11

Exodus 20:12-17

St. Luke 18:18-27

Hebrews 13:1-7