9 April 2013 by Rev Dr Steven Kau –
Recent survey says 88% of Americans believe adultery is wrong. Yet, 77% of marriages involve at least one adultery. As sad as this dichotomy is, it gets worse. 96% of those surveyed profess a belief in God. 70% are active church members and 77% of those believe they are going to heaven. How can this be? How can people who believe in God, who know adultery is wrong, still believe they are going to spend eternity with their Savior regardless of their disobedient behavior?
The answer is simple. They have been deceived, either willingly or unwillingly, into believing a lie that allows them to act in disobedience while expecting the fruits of an obedient servant. But God, because He is just and righteous, cannot allow that to happen. “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” (Hebrews 5:9) There is no author of salvation for the disobedient. And when you commit adultery, you are being disobedient. It is written, “Thou shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14)
As bad as the act of adultery is, it brings with it other sins; e.g. a thousand forms of deception. And who is the father of deception? Satan. He is the one who wants us to believe that God’s Word doesn’t mean what it says. That a deal can be reached for us to live a profligate life that brings tears to God’s eyes and still reap a heavenly reward. But such spiritual foolishness is inconsistent with His truth. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sowed, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)
God wants us to be obedient for many reasons, not the least of which is the high cost of adultery as it pertains not only to ourselves but to others; mainly the children in a divorce, which is the usual outcome of adultery. These kids suffer so many social, financial, physical and spiritual maladies that they often spend the rest of their lives on a psychiatrist’s couch, trying to sort out their lost childhood. And their chances of a successful marriage are virtually non-existent, because they all too often follow the example of their failed parents.
There are so many evil facets of adultery, as Satan knows that if can tempt one adult to disobey our Creator, he can often “capture” an entire family, sometimes two. All he need do is convince one person that he/she has the right to break their wedding vows. In Christian weddings, this becomes even more critical, as we then not only break our promises to our spouse but we break our promises to God. And that is playing with fire. “When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vows. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.” (Eccl. 5:4-5)
The Bible speaks frequently of the sin of adultery but perhaps no one verse says as much as 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, not adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, not thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Nothing could be clearer. If you are an adulterer, you will not spend eternity in heaven. So if you are thinking about committing adultery, don’t. The cost to everyone, especially you, is just too high. If you are in an adulterous relationship, quit now. I mean right now. As with all sin, adulterers must first admit it and then quit it. Thank God you can be forgiven but only if you repent and spend the rest of your life making right that which you have made wrong.
Rev. Dr. Steven Kau is the pastor of Faith Covenant Church. The church address is at 1-1 Jalan Putra Mahkota 7/5B, 47650 Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, Selangor. Sunday service in English starts at 10 am. His email contact – kausteven@gmail.com
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Though God in His mercy forgives, the consequences of sin often remain.
http://limpohann.blogspot.com/2012/07/god-forgives-but-consequences-of-sin.html