The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 5:27-33, “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’;
28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 “If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
30 “If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
31 “It was said, ‘WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE’;
32 but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
33 “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’”

These words of our LORD Jesus Christ are quite pointed and intended for us all. They
are not words that are easy on our ears or on our eyes. It is indeed difficult for us to
even imagine such to be true in the lives of those that we love. Nevertheless, we are
to accept Jesus’ words as directed at us, not merely at others. His intention is obviously
a display of the sinfulness of all human hearts.

What makes this even more difficult is the fact that we all (you who are reading and I
who am writing) have here within been accused of immoral attitudes as well as activities.
Christ commences these accusations by noting the external activity of the human eye. Undoubtedly, the lustful observation of the eyes leads eventually to the physical activity
of adultery. Jesus’ forthright remedy is to savagely sever either the hand or the eye
rather than suffer being cast into hell.

Divorce, too, is unacceptable in His sight. He does not pause to consider who in the
marital relationship was right and who was wrong, He only allows that divorce of the
union of two persons is unacceptable, just as it is for either to then remarry another, so
long as the original party still lives.

It is the clear understanding of this Biblical position that ultimately led to the phrase “’till
death do us part” in the wedding ceremony. In all of the Scripture, the validity of these situations is clearly stated. It is also a prohibition to make any “false vows” (vs. 33). The
LORD takes seriously the attitudes that precede and accompany the union of His people.
May we always live by His standards, knowing that He will always provide for the needs
of those who love Him.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom