Chapter 12—Disregard of the Seventh
Commandment
God’s Law the Way to Happiness—Previous to the destruction
of the old world by a flood, its inhabitants were reeking in corruption.
Sin and crime of every description prevailed. The state of the world
now is fast reaching the point when God will say to it, as He did
anciently: “My Spirit shall not always strive with man.” One of the
grievous sins existing in this degenerate age of corruption is adultery.
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This shameful sin is practiced to an alarming extent. The Sabbath and
the marriage institution were ordained of God in Eden to be preserved
sacred and holy. Both of these institutions of divine appointment have
been disregarded and set at naught by men and women whose hearts
are fully set in them to do evil.
Adultery a “Christian” Sin—But if the transgressors of the sev-
enth commandment were to be found only among those who do not
profess to be Christ’s followers, the evil would not be a tenth part as
great as it now is; but the crime of adultery is largely committed by
professed Christians. Both clergymen and laymen, whose names stand
fair upon the church record, are alike guilty.
Many who profess to be the ministers of Christ are like the sons
of Eli who ministered in the sacred office and took advantage of their
office to engage in crime and commit adultery, causing the people to
transgress the law of God. A fearful account will such have to render
when the cases of all shall pass in review before God, and they be
judged according to the deeds done in the body.... Adultery is one of
the terrible sins of this age. This sin exists among professed Christians
of every class....
Christians are called to lay their bodies a living sacrifice upon the
altar of God. “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that
ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members
as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin; but yield yourselves unto
God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as
instruments of righteousness unto God” [
Romans 6:12, 13
].
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