The Life of Christ

• However, if the actions of our hand or eye would lead to sin, then it would be better not to have them and go to heaven, rather than to have them in hell.

• There is no coincidence that this verse about the eye follows the command not to look lustfully upon a woman.

Centuries ago in England, if a pickpocket was convicted, his right hand was cut off.

• If he was convicted a second time, his left hand was amputated.

• One pickpocket lost both hands and continued his “trade” by using his teeth!

• Physical surgery can never change the heart.

Mt. 5:31-32 And 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 cause of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

The only biblical grounds for a God-approved divorce between two Christians, which allows for remarriage, is adultery.

• If adultery is not the reason, both believers can still obtain a legal divorce (1 Cor. 7:10-11), but still do not have God’s permission to remarry.

• Should one partner remarry, that partner would then enter into a life of ongoing adultery.

• Should that occur, the other original partner would now have biblical grounds to remarry with God’s blessing if so led.

• God’s severity on this issue is to provide one final motivation to work out ones’ differences and reconcile.

Mt. 5:33-36 “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’ 34 But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. 36 Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.”

In the Old Testament people tried to convince others that their word was reliable.

• They would attempt to equate their word with God’s name, but since that was prohibited, they used lesser terms to imply credibility.

• For example, they would then swear by things such as the Covenant, the Service of the Temple, or the Temple, itself.

• For example, “My word is as reliable as Heaven’s throne.”

• This practice began as a result of Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kings 8:31-32, which reads, “When anyone sins against his neighbor, and is forced to take an oath, and comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this temple, then hear in heaven, and act and judge Your servants....”

• This practice proved ineffective, to the point that Jesus now withdraws the offer.

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