Love’s Sake II

“Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God” 2 Cor.7:1.

Yesterday, we established that as far as sexual purity is concerned, you are going to have options but by the grace of God, by your determination and by your willingness to be accountable to other Christians, you will prevail. I have been married now for almost fifteen years and I can tell you that by my determination and by my accountability to other Christian friends, I have not been with any other woman. It is not because there have not been plenty options. You cannot say you are living pure until you have had the opportunity to unfaithful without being caught and you still did not do it. Being humble is not about not having money. Being humble is a choice regardless of your financial status. You are not a thief until you have had the opportunity to steal and you did not steal. So the options were there, the opportunities have come but I have stayed faithful to my commitment. How have I been able to sustain that commitment? I will share four things with you.

#1. I love Jesus with all my heart. He went to the cross for me and I am not going to send Him back there or put another nail in His side. I love Jesus to bits.

#2. I love my wife and daughter more than I love myself. Adultery [infidelity] is the greatest act of selfishness.

#3. I fear the wrath of God more than I fear anything else. Yes, God is our Father and yes, God is merciful but the Bible says, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” 2Cor.7:1[KJV, emphasis added]. There is a healthy fear of God that will keep you pure.

#4. I love the people I pastor and I do not want to disappoint them. I do not want them to walk  around in shame because of something I have done [God forbid]. I do not want to bring reproach to God’s church.

So when I am tempted, I think of Jesus, I think of my wife, I think of God’s wrath, and I think of you. And I say it is not worth it!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, empower me to stay away from everything that defiles and to work towards complete holiness in the fear of God, in Jesus Name.