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Radical Purity

Matthew 5:27-32

There are six “it is good” ’s and then a singular “it is VERY good” followed by a first-time “it is NOT good.” That’s where it was; that’s where it began, but that’s not where we find it today.

“As more say ‘I don’t’ to marriage, it’s time to reinvent the institution.” (Headline this week in the Lincoln Journal-Star) The article then goes on to state, “Marriage has always been a social construct that has changed through the course of human history, and it continues to evolve.” No! No! No! (Italics mine)

The painful reality is that not only in our surrounding culture, but also in the fellowship of the Church, God’s design for marriage has fallen on hard times. Confusion increases as to its role, its purpose, even its (see above article) relevance for today. Pharisaic escape clauses from publicly verbalized vows are continually being sought from the Scribes who interpret the Word. Even the “saints” seem to “just want out.”

Is this new? No. There really IS nothing new under the sun! By the time we read in the 4th chapter of the Bible narrative, we discover that God’s perfect plan for marriage is headed for a train wreck. By the 6th chapter, the divine design has totally left the rails. The story of love, heartbreak, and severed vows just continues to mount as we read through Scripture. If you don’t stay with the story till it rises to its conclusion, you find yourself despairing for the once-glorious promise of wedded bliss.

After six “it is good” ’s and “it is VERY good,” plus one “it is NOT good” the Divine author of both marriage and the narrative of rescue tenaciously fights for the radical purity of His plan. When the final chapter of the story has been written, we will discover that the “it is NOT good” will have won! “Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure.” —Revelation 19:7

The final word on what today seems to be a total train wreck is the shout of joy from the Father when He said and will say again, “It is VERY good!” True love wins!!!

See you Sunday, Church!

Pastor Tom