WHEN GOD EXPECTS US TO FORGIVE ADULTERY (CHEATING ON GOD)…

INFIDELITY…It’s the universal act of betrayal that many, if not most, find it difficult to come back from.

No matter what country, religion or culture, infidelity marks the end of many relationships. It’s viewed as the ultimate proof that love is lost.

---

However, the ability to come back from infidelity may be the ultimate proof of real love.

---

How can I say that?

Because marriage is the analogy that God uses throughout the bible, not only to describe His relationship with Israel in Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Joel, Isaiah and Hosea, but also Christ’s (who represents the invisible God bodily) relationship with His church in Colossians,  Ephesians and Revelations. All of the aforementioned, Old Testament books are stories of Israel continually betraying God, only to have Him continually forgive them and take them back.

Israel loved God… but they continued to choose other God’s over Him.

Israel loved God… but they continued to reject His commandments.

Israel loved God…but they continued to live below His expectations and standards.

BUT, when they repented God always took them back. Notice that I kept saying Israel loved God. The fact that they betrayed Him doesn’t mean they didn’t love Him. It just means their love wasn’t perfect. When we hurt God and one another, it doesn’t always mean there’s no love…it just means our love isn’t perfect. But God’s love is perfect. That’s how He can continue to forgive our infidelity to Him. When we choose to sin, when we put others before Him, when we live below His expectations and standards…we’re CHEATING ON GOD. We’re no different than Israel…no different than Judas betraying Him…no different than Peter denying Him. But, when we truly repent, He’s always willing to forgive us. Remember repentance means Godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10)… to turn from our wickedness( 2 Chronicles 7:14), not just ask forgiveness. God is always willing to take us back. See…God proves that real love even can forgive infidelity. When we’re willing to endure the pain, embarrassment, betrayal and despise the shame as Christ did on the cross for His bride (Hebrews 12:2), we’re acting just like our Heavenly Father. Now THAT’S conforming to His image. Is it easy? No! But, God proves it’s possible.

Plus even in regard to marriage, notice what God said in Matthew 5…

Matthew 5:32 (KJV)

³² But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Notice that the KJV uses the word ‘fornication’, but all other versions lessen it to ‘sexual immorality’…why? How can you commit fornication while married? Why did it not say, ‘saving for adultery’? Hmmmm. Because even though it’s not very common today, God intends for us to be virgins when we marry, so if you get ready to consummate your marriage and discover that your new spouse is not a virgin, you have a right to divorce then because they committed ‘fornication’. This is a fulfillment of Deuteronomy 24:1, but stands true for the man or woman…

Deuteronomy 24:1 (KJV)

24 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

And, don’t forget what Jesus told the woman at the well…

John 4:18 (NKJV)

¹⁸ for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”

---

If adultery were an excuse to get out of marriage then all both have to do spouses is cheat to get out…that reduces marriage to nothing.

---

If the spouse repents, God expects us to forgive, just as He forgives us for committing spiritual adultery on Him. And, we do it over and over again.

I encourage anyone who’s been betrayed, that if the offender is truly sorry, and the relationship is important enough to you (usually the more you love them, the more it hurts) then you should follow God’s example and forgive. He can give you strength you never had to restore and rebuild any relationship, not just a marriage. Remember this. After Israel sinned, they went through some rough days. But, God always promised renewed joy contingent on their faithfulness.When you forgive cheating. When you forgive ANY betrayal in any relationship…things may not ever be THE SAME, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be BETTER.

Yes…just because things aren’t the same, doesn’t mean they can’t be better….it’s all up to you.

This is where the real power in…
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ( Philippians 4:13) is realized.

This is where the real power in…
My strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) is realized.

This is where the real power in…
And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32) is realized.

Forgive as God forgives us, over and over again (Matthew 18:22) …Enjoy your relationships…, even though your relationship with _________ may never be the same, doesn’t mean it can’t be better. (Yes…I was redundant on purpose)

BE BLESSTIFIED!