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“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4

God instituted marriage between one man and one woman at creation when He made them male and female, forming man from the dust of the ground and forming woman from the rib of Adam and bringing her to the man (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7; 2:18-25). Thus, marriage and the sexual union within marriage are honorable and God-pleasing, but God will judge those who engage in sexual activity outside of marriage and who do not live in accord with God’s purpose and design in marriage (the union of one man and one woman for life).

Knowing that God will judge those who commit adultery or are sexually immoral, how is it that so many just ignore God’s Word when it comes to marriage and sexuality? And how is it that even Christians seem to think nothing of living together outside the bonds of marriage or engaging in sexual relationships without being married?

Because God deals with people either according to His justice or according to His mercy, do people fail to understand and distinguish between the two and view God’s judgment as some sort of watered-down mixture of justice and grace – as though God really doesn’t demand perfect obedience, and as though God just winks at our sins? What Christ suffered to atone for sin says otherwise!

And, I wonder, too, do Christian pastors not warn those under their care who have fallen into sin of their need to repent? Many times, it seems, pastors are afraid to say anything; and, perhaps, it’s because they are more concerned about keeping members in their local congregations than keeping them in Christ’s everlasting kingdom. Could it be so?

The Word of God is not jesting when it says: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Cf. Galatians 5:19-21; Hebrews 10:26ff.; Revelation 21:8). One cannot be a Christian and continue in fornication or adultery – indeed, in any wilful sin against the Lord God and His Word. Those who do will find themselves cast into the eternal fires of hell on Judgment Day!

Rather than having us be cast out on the Last Day, God desires us to repent of our sinful and evil ways and look to Him for mercy and forgiveness in Christ Jesus and for the sake of His innocent sufferings and death in our stead. He would have us acknowledge our sins and look to Christ Jesus and His cross for pardon and forgiveness (cf. 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 1:9).

The Bible tells us why God can and does forgive those who repent and look to Him for mercy. It’s not because He is soft on sin. Rather, it is because “Jesus Christ the righteous … is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1,2). It is because Jesus atoned for our sins and the sins of all when He was condemned and suffered and died upon the cross!

The Bible tells us that “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures … he was buried … he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4); and that in Him “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

And, as a fruit of repentance, God would have us amend our sinful ways, looking to Him and His Word for guidance in what is good and pleasing to Him and for the willingness and strength to walk in His ways (cf. Ephesians 2:8-10). “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9).

O holy and righteous God, I have sinned and gone astray by my every departure from Your Word. Wash away my guilt in Jesus’ shed blood and grant me Your Holy Spirit that I might walk in Your ways and seek to be pleasing to You in all things. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible

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“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63

Only those who partake of Christ Jesus in faith – of His body given into death upon the cross as a sacrifice for sin, and of His blood shed upon the cross for the sins of all – have eternal life and will be raised up on the last day to the glories of heaven. Apart from such partaking of Christ’s body and blood in faith, one remains spiritually dead in trespasses and sins (cf. John 6:51ff.; Ephesians 2:1ff.). And, it is only by the gracious working of God the Holy Spirit through the Word of God that one can be brought to faith and made alive spiritually.

Does Jesus here speak of the Sacrament of the Altar? We would have to say no because, when He spoke these words, He had not yet instituted His Supper; and, though it offers many benefits, nowhere does the Bible make partaking of the Lord’s Supper necessary for salvation.

But Jesus, who called Himself the Bread of Life and that Bread which came down from heaven (cf. John 6:31ff.), does teach that He is the Life-giving bread and that apart from partaking of Him in faith, one remains dead in trespasses and sins and doesn’t have forgiveness of sins or eternal life. But, through faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice, one is made alive spiritually and has as his own God’s gifts of forgiveness for all sins and life everlasting in heaven (cf. John 3:14ff.; 8:24)!

But, as in Jesus’ day when many stumbled over His words, so also today, many people stumble. They cannot understand how Jesus could give his flesh and shed His blood for the sins of the world, and they cannot grasp how partaking of this heavenly food in faith gives life and salvation. Thus, they turn back and quit following Jesus and reject His life-giving Word.

As Jesus so clearly states, it is God’s Holy Spirit who gives life; the flesh, our own human reason and understanding, profits us nothing in regard to faith in Christ Jesus. It is as Luther explains in the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth….”

And, the words which Jesus spoke are Spirit and they are life. They are the truth revealed by the Holy Spirit of God in His Word. And, it is through these words that the Spirit regenerates us, brings us to faith in Christ and gives us life in Jesus! “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17; cf. Romans 1:16-17; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21).

Sad to say, many still seek to generate faith and give life by the flesh, which profits nothing. They seek to stir up their hearers’ emotions (with powerful preaching and moving music) so that people will make their own decisions for Christ. Rather than simply preaching the Bible, which is the Word of God, they offer up testimonials and share human doctrines and opinions. Rather accepting the Bible as the inspired and unerring Word of God, they subject it to human understanding and seek to explain it in ways which appeal to human reason. And when Christian pastors simply preach the Word of God and administer the Sacraments (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper) in accord with Christ’s own institution and commandment, many reject their sound preaching and obedience to the commandments of our Lord Jesus in favor of their own opinions and ideas of what will be more appealing and reach more of the lost.

But the truth spoken by Jesus remains: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life”; and, “No man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father” (John 6:63,65; cf. John 1:12-13; 3:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:3).

The words Jesus spoke to His hearers about being the Bread of Life and the only way to obtain eternal life are true. It is only through faith in Jesus and His atoning sacrifice upon the cross for the sins of the world that we have been saved and have life eternal. And, it is only by the gracious working of God’s Holy Spirit through the Word and the Sacraments that one can come to faith in Christ and be raised from spiritual darkness and death unto life everlasting for Jesus’ sake.

Gracious Savior, thank You for fulfilling all righteousness in our stead and bearing upon the cross the full punishment for the sins of the entire world. By Your Spirit and Your life-giving Word, bring us to partake of you in faith that we might have forgiveness and the everlasting joys of heaven. We ask this for the sake of Your bitter sufferings and death in our stead and Your glorious resurrection. Amen.

Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible

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“And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: and Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.” Genesis 25:29-34

We may consider this account of insignificance; but, in fact, it has a message of great significance to every Christian today.

As Isaac’s firstborn son, Esau had the birthright, a double portion of the inheritance and, in Esau’s case, the blessings given to Abraham and Isaac which included, not only the promise of the land, but of the Messiah and Savior of the world. Yet, for a single meal when he was hungry, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob his brother. For one serving of food which satisfied him for only a few hours, Esau gave up blessings which extend into eternity!

The sacred text concludes the account with the words: “Thus Esau despised his birthright.” The word “despised” doesn’t necessarily mean he hated it or loathed it, but that he regarded it of little value or worth.

As Christians – believers in the Lord Jesus Christ – we have an eternal inheritance awaiting us in heaven. It is “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away” made sure to us by the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, from the dead (1 Peter 1:3,4). Jesus Himself told us that He is preparing a place for us to be with Him in the mansions of His Father’s house (cf. John 14:1-6). By His innocent sufferings and death, Jesus won for us and all people complete forgiveness of sins and a place with Him in heaven. His resurrection is proof that our eternal salvation is won.

Yet the Scriptures also warn us of the dangers of sin and its deceitfulness: “Lest any man fail of the grace of God … lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears” (Hebrews 12:16,17; cf. Genesis 27:30-40).

And how often it happens! Those for whom Christ died – those who have heard of His blessings of forgiveness and life everlasting and who have, for a time, even trusted in His name – for the passing pleasures of sin give it all up and despise their heavenly birthright in Christ Jesus!

Then, when Jesus returns on the Last Day to bless all who have placed their trust in Him with life eternal in the mansions of His Father’s house, they will cry, “Bless me, even me also.” But there will be no blessing left for them because they did not trust in Jesus and count the blessings He won for them by the shedding of His holy and precious blood of any value – they traded them all for the pleasures of this world which pass away with their use. The blessing which was once theirs will be taken from them forever!

The warning for us as believers is not to esteem the grace of God lightly – not to risk it all or sell our birthright in Jesus Christ to enjoy the temporary pleasures of this world.

How do we know that God, who has so graciously called us to faith will again rekindle faith in our hearts when we deny our Savior and reject the Spirit’s working? Christ shed His blood on the cross to redeem us. Let’s not trample His precious blood under our feet and count it as an unholy thing, lest we bring the wrath of God upon ourselves (cf. Hebrews 10:29)!

And, for those many times we have not treasured the blessings of God which are ours in Christ Jesus, let’s turn to the promises of God’s Word:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness … If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 1:9: 2:1,2).

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18).

Have you despised your birthright in the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you counted it of so little value that you have risked it all for the sake of the pleasures of this world? If so, look to God for mercy now, before it is too late! Repent and place your faith in Christ Jesus that you may have pardon and peace and obtain the blessings he won for you when He sacrificed Himself for all upon the cross!

Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me for despising my birthright in You – for failing to take hold of and treasure the forgiveness and life You won for me by Your innocent sufferings and death in my stead. Graciously bless me with Your Holy Spirit and restore to me the joy of Your salvation. Amen.

[Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version of the Bible]

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“And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham … And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.…” Genesis 24:12,15 (Read Genesis 24)

Though we know little of Abraham’s eldest servant (cf. Genesis 15:2 where he is mentioned by name, Eliezer, meaning “God is my help”), Genesis, chapter 24, gives us a glimpse of his faith in the LORD God, the God of Abraham.

Abraham, being old and wanting to provide a believing wife for his son Isaac – something very important for us to remember today – but also wanting to be sure that Isaac remained in the land of promise, asked his eldest servant, who was in charge of Abraham’s house, to go back to Mesopotamia and find a wife for Isaac from among Abraham’s relatives.

When this servant arrived there, he stopped at the well outside the city and prayed that the LORD God would bless his efforts and direct him to the woman whom God had chosen for Isaac by letting that young woman, when he asked her for a drink, offer also to water his camels. While he was yet speaking this prayer, Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel, came out to the well with her pitcher upon her shoulder. When he asked her to let down her pitcher and give him a drink, not only did she give him a drink but watered all his camels as well.

When he learned that she was a relative of Abraham, he knew that the LORD had directed him to the young woman God had chosen for Isaac and he “bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD,” saying, “Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of His mercy and His truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren” (v. 26, 27).

After telling to Rebekah’s family the account of how he was sent of Abraham and how the LORD God directed him to find Rebekah, and after Rebekah’s brother Laban and her father Bethuel consented to send her with him to be the wife of Isaac, Abraham’s servant again “worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth” (v. 52).

Though but a servant, this man shared the faith of Abraham. Whether through the witness of Abraham or that of others, he too knew the LORD God and trusted in Him. As we read, he prayed in faith and was led and prospered by the LORD in his journey; and, he gave thanks and praise to the LORD God for His guidance and blessing.

Can we learn from Abraham’s servant? Most certainly! Though we know little of him, his faith is a shining example for us. Like this humble servant, we have the great privilege of praying to the LORD God of Abraham for his guidance and blessing upon our lives.

For the sake of Christ Jesus, the promised descendant of Abraham through Isaac and Rebekah who suffered and died for the sins of the world and rose again on the third day, God forgives us and accepts us as His own dear children. He gives us the great privilege of coming into His very presence with our prayers (cf. Hebrews 10:19-22; 1 John 5:14-15); and He promises, “Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

God directs us, as His children through faith in Messiah Jesus, to commit our ways – our very lives – to Him and to trust Him; and He promises to bless us and make our journey through life prosperous – prosperous in His ways and in the accomplishing of His perfect will (cf. Psalm 37:3-7). And, like Abraham’s servant, we have every reason to bow before the LORD God and worship Him for His leading and guiding in our lives and in our tasks.

He, working through centuries of human history, sent His only-begotten Son to suffer and die upon the cross and redeem us and all mankind. He has sent His Spirit and caused us to hear His Word and trust in Him for forgiveness and life. He leads and guides us through the days of our lives and brings us safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him “be glory for ever and ever. Amen”! (2 Timothy 4:18).

O LORD God of Abraham, we worship and praise You for the gift of Christ Jesus, Your Son, and for the mercy and truth You have shown unto us for Jesus sake. We bow before You. To You be the glory for ever and ever! Amen.

[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]

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