The Strait and Narrow

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In the Old Testament a vow is seen as a covenant between two in agreement.

God’s covenant with Abram told him of the land of inherits; Abram asked God “whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?” By a blood covenant (Gen.15:17) Abram covenant with God of circumcision (Gen.17) Circumcision is Abram’s part of the agreement. God agree to bless Abram to be “exceeding fruitful” and the land of Canaan. This covenant is an every lasting covenant. Samson also had a vow to God never to cut his hair as a Nazarene of God. Today a vow of marriage is not seen in this way. Jewish customs and some others, a man would make a contract with the father of the woman he wants to marry. The contract would be of some value to the father for his daughter maybe some amount of money. A good example is Jacobs labor of 7 years for his wife Rachael a virgin. Today vows of marriage are said before God and these witnesses of love between the two getting married. Some vows are vows to stay with the other in sickness and in health, in poverty or in wealth, till death do us part. It don’t seem like we hold any important to these vow to one another because we break these vows more than 40% of the time. In South Carolina these are the legal grounds for divorce:  A divorce may be granted only on the following grounds:  Adultery; Desertion for a period of one year; Physical cruelty; Habitual drunkenness, including habitual drunkenness caused by the use of any narcotic drug; or On the application of either party if and when the husband and wife have lived separate and apart without cohabitation for a period of one year. [Based on South Carolina Code of Laws Section 20-3-10]

Most states recognize a no fault divorce in which there is irreconcilable differences, and no one is to blame for the breakup of the marriage.  There are also fault based grounds, which vary from state to state, but generally include adultery, abuse, desertion, alcoholism or drug addition, incarceration, and insanity.  You can see how far we as men have added reasons to get a divorce from the one we vowed to stay with for life. Even the “irreconcilable differences” is a reason! Jesus gave the reason of fornication only. Maybe that is why the divorce rate is so high. You can get a divorce for any reason almost.The church that I’m apart of is giving membership to some that are in an adulterous relationship or as some say a double marriage because they have divorced for these reasons other than fornication. I guest the question is do you hold your vows true to the end? Or do you take the easy “broad way” out.

John came preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. We call him John the Baptist because he baptism with water. One crying out in the wilderness for the nation of Israel to repent. John had said to Herod

“It is not lawful for thee to have her.” And John is put in prison for Herodias sake, Herod’s brother Philip’s wife.

Later is beheaded for Herodias sake.   John spoke up against this adulterous relationship even when the Pharisees and Sadducees would only conform to the world around them. John called them “O generation of virpers” they sould be helping the nation and calling them to repentance, but they are vipers sucking the life out of the children of Isreal.

Today I see the COGOP giving the broad definition of the word Fornication which receives couples in to membership which by scripture is called adultery. One having another’s wife (husband) to me that is the same as what John is calling sin because like Heord his brother Philip was still alive.  My Church says that if they only profess their faith then they are allowed to become members it’s not about if they forsake their sins.  What then will they say about  others that ask for membership and professes faith (homosexual)? If we allow divorce and remarriage (adultery) has the church opened the door for others?  Now if John gave his life for speaking out against adultery why then the Church now allows these to become members of the Church?  We must speak out like John “Repent, Repent, Repent!   

“A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.   Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”(matt.7:18-19 kjv)

True repentance brings forth good fruit. We all can understand the good and bad fruit have you ever tasted a bad apple! And the saying that one bad apple will cause the lot to turn bad.

 Now if someone professes to be a Christian and saved, but knownly live in sin. Then I ask myself which fruit are they bringing forth? Now the cogop will let those in their sin(adultery) become church members in some churches allowing them to teach others.  It would be best not for those to be taking into membership and giving a part of the Body of Christ that can lead others, when them theirselves is in need of help.  Our church seem to be less spirit filled now than any other time, maybe it’s time to turn to :

 (1 Corth.5:13 kjv)

“But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:”(Matt.7:13KJV)

 We chose the life that we live; there are so many choices down the road of life. One major chose is our spouse. The one we will live with for life. But in today’s world it’s not so much for life. Even in my Church today it has open membership to those in a Adulterous relationships(mark.10:11,12) This would be far from the straight and narrow way. This would be the broad way that many today go down in there life of decisions. Why is it a straight and narrow gateway that only a few that find it? So many will believe a lie and go down the broad way and so few will stand for the truth. One reason is that the one you think should know the way will be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. (matt.7:15) I fear that the cogop has open the broad way to many in the understanding that by accepting adulterous relationships into covenant membership.   I asked myself which road will we chose the way to life or deaf.