Marriage.

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 I have read the 5th chapter of Mt. many times and every time I read it I
think "this is a hard saying".
 We are asked to be meek, merciful, pure in heart and peace makers. We are
told not only to not kill but not even be angry with our brother. We are
asked to agree with our adversary?!?! We were at one time told that if we
commit adultery we would be stoned and now he says that if we even look on a
women with that in mind we are guilty of adultery. If thy right hand offend
the cut it off. Resist not evil, if you are smitten on the right cheek turn
to him the other ! If a man sues you and gets your coat , you are told to
give him your cloke also. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES!?
  These are hard sayings. The reason they are hard sayings is no one reading
this letter no matter how consecrated you may be ( or think you may be) is
able to make a perfect score.  
 Included in these hard sayings is Jesus telling us that he does not want a
married couple to divorce with one exception, fornication. Divorce is
something that God never wanted, he wanted the ideal, he wanted men to treat
their wives like Christ
treats the church. 
 Again, these are hard sayings. These are things that we are to strive for
because they are things that please him. These are the way things "ought to
be" but in most cases they are not the way things are. 
  One thing I would like all to take note of, even though these are hard
sayings for us he was able to live all of them. He would not ask us to do
anything he wouldn't or couldn't do himself including living with an
adulteress spouse. 
Jer 3:8
8	And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed
adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce... (KJV)
 I am sure that no one in HF feels like they are holier than God and able to
live to a higher standard than him. He did not want to divorce Israel but he
finally was forced to. I am so thankful that he has now a gentile bride of
which I am blessed to be a part of.
  Finally, I want to say, lets not give up trying to do what the Lord wants
us to do but we need to strive for that high mark, Be ye perfect even as my
father in heaven is perfect. These are hard sayings.
 
                                              Mike Reed