|
Post by guest on Sept 27, 2008 1:18:15 GMT -5
ok. i understand that in the bible it says that we shouldn't commit adultery. however, i have a confession. as a single woman i had sex with a married man. so does this mean that i commited adultery or is it the other way around? in hebrews 13:4 is says marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for god will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. what does this mean? for me with this situation i am so ashamed and can't come to grips with it. i am so burdened and can't forgive myself for allowing this to happen. please help. i need your advice. thanks.
|
|
|
Post by Mike Miller on Sept 28, 2008 6:25:12 GMT -5
Well, technically, it seems that the term "adultery" specifically relates to the marital status of the woman. In other words, someone having intercourse with a married woman is engaged in adultery , as is the woman herself. And technically the word "fornication" (or "sexual immorality") refers to any act of sexuality outside of God's will. Similarly, in the Old Testament, "adultery" refers primarily to intercourse with a married woman (unless, of course, it is referring to spiritual adultery, which is another topic). However, it seems that "adultery" can also refer generally to the act of a married man or woman having sex with someone he/she is not married to, and the sin is committed by both parties in the adulterous affair. But aside from getting technical and trying to split hairs over terminology, the fact is that anyone having sex with anyone they are not married to is undoubtedly an act of fornication and therefore is sinful.
As for the statement in Hebrews 13:4, indeed, God will judge the sexually immoral. This is similar to Galatians 5:19-21 and Romans 1:29-32. People who practice such sins as adultery, murder, fornication . . . gossip, and disobedience to parents . . . are sinners who will not enter heaven. But wait a minute . . . then who will be saved? And that's the point. These things describe the pattern of life before conversion. Those who are born again cease this kind of behavior. But wait a minute . . . do saved people ever commit these sins? Well, yes. But the difference is that we don't live like that. While saved people also fall, those things don't describe our lifestyles. In other words, someone will ask me if a saved person who is a serial killer will still be saved. My response is that a saved person won't be a serial killer. So, can a saved person commit adultery? Yes, a saved person can be so spiritually sick as to fall into sin. But a saved person cannot continue to live as an adulterer. The Holy Spirit will bring conviction and repentance to the saved person. And God will discipline the saved person for his or her sin.
So, what does this mean for you? Well, of course I don't know who you are or what your exact circumstances are. But I can say that you have sinned against God. If you have not accepted Christ, then you are in danger of the eternal wrath of God--but not just for adultery. You are a sinner who deserves to be punished. The adultery is just one of your sins. If you have accepted Christ, however, I'm assuming you have repented. It seems like you are grieving over this sin. And if that is the case, you need to receive God's forgiveness and don't commit adultery any more. The Holy Spirit has convicted you, and you are no longer sinning. So, go and sin no more.
I understand that you are having a hard time forgiving yourself. I understand that. But let me suggest something else. It's not just that you don't forgive yourself. This is a faith issue. You don't really believe God has forgiven you. Let me remind you of 1 John 1:9, which says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." If that is true (and it is), then if you have confessed, and if you are no longer committing that sin, then God has forgiven you. You need to believe that and receive His forgiveness. Have you committed a sin worthy of judgment? Yes. But if you have repented and accepted Christ, then you need to believe that Jesus took all of God's wrath for your sin on Himself. It is done. It is finished. It is paid for. Receive that forgiveness and be free.
But if you have not repented of your sin (and not just adultery--the very fact that you are sinful), then please do so today. Turn to Jesus. Believe that He suffered in your place, and that what He did on the cross is completely sufficient for your salvation. Turn to Him and confess Him as Lord of your life. Embrace Him and the life He gives. And your sins will be counted against you no more. His perfect righteousness will be counted as your own.
I hope this has helped. Please let me know if you have further questions.
|
|