RESTORATION
Man is subject to both God's law and civil law; however, in case of a conflict between God and government, every person should trust and obey God (Eph. 6:12). Risking his life for God's sake, John the Baptist disputed with King Herod. Because this great prophet did not compromise God's word with the politically influential Herodias, her sin of adultery was exposed; and God's kingdom regulations were exalted above all earthly authority. No person, regardless of his, or her, power or position, is excluded from the accountability to obey the laws of the sovereign God.
There is also a conflict between God's law and church law at times. Paul admonished the church of Corinth concerning impurity that a little leaven leavens the whole lump (1 Cor. 5:6). He told them to put away that man who was living with his father's wife from their presence (1 Cor. 5:13). The church must not lower its standards from the teachings of the Bible to the influence and teachings of men, and especially not to the lusts of men! If people in the church are allowed to do just what they desire, rather than abide in Christ, where will the conviction of sin come from? Members of the church should exemplify the light of God. When the church suffers from disobedience to God, to whom do the people of the world have to look unto for a example? It is the duty of the church to invite sinners to repentance and belief in Jesus Christ, but not to condone the sin of one who walks in error so as to encourage such a one to keep his or her membership (without conviction of sin, remorse and repentance); hence, an adulteress continuing in her sin must be removed from the assembly. See my paper "Excommunication."
If there happens to be a case where the woman has committed adultery and she repents: she must put away her second man, and live with out any more men--including her husband (Dt. 24:4). Note that Jesus encouraged the precept of unity; however, he did teach one exception to the rule--"except for fornication" (Mt. 5:32). The concentricity of sexual morality according to the Scriptures is a perfect and excellent guide to interpretation; that is, if a verse is taken in its context, it will not deviate to the contrary with another verse also taken in its context. Afterward, in the above situation, a defiled wife would have to be directed to live a single life. Nevertheless, when a woman marries, it is for a lifetime, and only the death of her husband shall annul the spiritual accountability and responsibility so as to allow her to marry (regardless of the husband's circumstances).
However, if you will notice, many churches today are more like the Pharisees who transgressed God's commandments. The transgression is sexual immorality and adultery in our time and country. Sexual abuse of children, necking, seduction and rejection of marriage among teenagers, and divorce and remarriage have been a problem long before Roe v. Wade. The sale of contraceptives and the rise of homosexuality has been a part of the American culture for decades. Fetal abortion in its late stages is no longer a shocking occurrence.
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Reviewed: 2012-June-21