Back to MenOfIntegrity.net a service of Christianity Today International
Today's Christian

 

Main  |  Archives  |  Contact Us
Site Search

Connect with God

Transform my Mind

Live by His Power

Relate Better

Make an Impact



Take this poll

HOLIDAYS & EVENTS
National Bible Week (U.S.A.)
Thanksgiving (U.S.A.)
Advent
Related Channels
Marriage
Parenting
Singles
Movies
Music
Today's Christian
Bible & Reference
Faith in the Workplace





Home > Men > The Lure of Lust > Getting Off the Hook


Getting Off the Hook
Theme of the Week: The Lure of Lust
Saturday, July 13, 2002



July/August 2002 5 4 Getting Off the Hook Theme of the Week: The Lure of Lust
Getting Off the Hook
Theme of the Week: The Lure of Lust
Saturday, July 13
Q. How did Jesus respond to people who got caught in sexual sin? A. Jesus didn't turn and walk away from sexual sinners. From the examples in the Gospels—John 4:1–42, John 8:2–11, and Luke 7:36–50—he seemed to have a special love for them. Notice four things: Jesus didn't deny the presence of sexual sin. He never said, "Oh, that's not important. There are bigger issues in life." Sexual sin is a big deal. Everybody may be doing it, but everyone engaging in sexual sin is also wrong. Jesus never winked at sexual sin.

Jesus was willing to confront people about their sin. He didn't let the woman at the well draw her water and return to her serial-marriage lifestyle without confronting her with God's love. You must be equally bold in calling sin what it is: sin.

Jesus had great compassion for sinners. He didn't condemn any of these three women. He showed compassion for them. He received them. No matter how great or how public their sin, He forgave them.

Jesus told those who had sinned to "sin no more." His forgiveness was not a license to continue to sin. It gave them the courage not to sin again in this area.

How should I respond to Jesus? It's your responsibility to receive God's forgiveness—accept it, be grateful for it, and forgive yourself. It's your responsibility not to dwell on your past sins or continue to beat yourself up over them. But it's also your responsibility to change your behavior. You must choose not to sin again. Ed Young is senior pastor of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas. Adapted from: Fatal Distractions (Nelson, 2000) by permission. Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.
July/August 2002, Vol. 5, No. 4


0Prayer for the Week

Holy God, help me to detect the dangling lures, and discern the consequences of responding to them.



Men of Integrity
Connect with God  |  Transform my Mind  |  Live by His Power
Relate Better  |  Make an Impact
Home  |  Archives  |  Contact Us


Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
Subscribe to Men of Integrity
Name
Street Address
City/State/Zip
E-mail Address

No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.

If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.

Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter
Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter
   RSS Feed   RSS Help








SUBSCRIBE!

5 minutes is all it takes …

Subscribe to Men of Integrity








Free Newsletter
Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter:






ChristianityToday.com
Home CT Mag Church/Ministry Bible/Life Communities Entertainment Schools/Jobs Shopping Free! Help
Books & Culture
Christianity Today
ChristianityTodayLibrary.com
Church Finance Today
Christian History Back Issues
Church Law & Tax Report
Church Secretary Today
Ignite Your Faith
Leadership Journal
Men of Integrity
Today's Christian
Today's Christian Woman
Your Church
BuildingChurchLeaders.com
ChristianBibleStudies.com
Christian College Guide
Christian History
Christian Music Today
Christianity Today Movies
Church Products & Services
Church Safety
ChurchSiteCreator.com
PreachingToday.com
PreachingTodaySermons.com
Seminary/Grad School Guide
Christianity Today International
www.ChristianityToday.com
Copyright © 2008 Christianity Today International
Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Advertise with Us | Job Openings