AP

Mark 10:5-9   “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law [concerning divorce],” Jesus replied.  “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female’.  ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’  So they are no longer two, but one.  Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

It is sad whenever the rebellious heart of man leads him to reject the truth of God’s Written Word, and he chooses to adopt a lifestyle that is opposed to what God has said.  It is especially sad because God has created us carefully in a particular way in  order that we might really enjoy living in his world, giving healthy and satisfying expression to HIS IMAGE IN US, the way HE lovingly DESIGNED everything to be – for OUR good and benefit.

Yes, that IS sad.  But it is sadder still when man makes every effort to try to justify his rebellion by requiring everyone to toe the rebellious line and fully endorse his rebellion.  Are we prepared to pay the price of ‘calling out’ this coercive behaviour and standing firm on the truth and value of God’s Word?  It may cost us social acceptance and credibility, acceptance and advancement at work, our freedom to teach God’s Word, or even a place in our professional football team!

But then, Jesus warned us that following him would be costly, and some of us in our culture are just starting to taste what this means.  But it is good to remember that with the warning, Jesus also promised to ENABLE us to do it.  May the Holy Spirit give us all the courage and strength we need in these challenging days.  Let us remember to be faithful in our prayer support for one  another, especially for those who are most vulnerable in the firing line.
– Bruce Christian