Real Love Does The Hard Things…

If you love someone, you’ll love them enough to tell them the truth. Jesus did this very thing. In the sermon on the mount, the aspect of adultery was addressed. The men of that day had twisted Moses concession (God’s allowance) on divorce to mean it was perfectly acceptable for any reason. Jesus set them straight. Adultery and divorce were not seen in its proper light. Jesus set the record straight, then took it up a notch. He warned of the consequences of Hell. He told them that losing an eye or hand doesn’t even compare to what you’ll suffer in Hell. It was better to live a handicapped life here on earth than live a life seeking pleasure for yourself, ignoring God. Ask yourself, how many people tell me the truth these days? I’m not talking about “their truth”, I’m talking “the truth”. How many people present consequences for sinful actions? We live in a day where “don’t judge me” and “how dare you tell me what to do” reign in the minds of every person, never allowing truth to be told. We live in a day where sin is exalted and righteousness is prejudice, racist, and hateful. We live in a day where consequences for sinful behavior is lobbied away through legislation, or made out to be excused because someone didn’t react in a way that’s acceptable to the sinner. Jesus warned us about Hell. He knew of its intolerable consequences. If you truly love someone, you’ll love them enough to tell them the truth, willing to accept whatever consequences that come from the conversation. Real love does the hard things. Jesus’ example here should solidify our resolve to follow Him, by being like Him. Don’t live by the world’s standards; it’s not really living, just existing.

27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.29 So if your eye–even your good eye–causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.30 And if your hand–even your stronger hand–causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  31 “You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’32 But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.  Matthew 5:27-32