Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 20:14.

“You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14.

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Here is what Jesus teaches us in part about what God requires about this seventh commandment: “You shall not commit adultery.”

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28.

Here is what the Heidelberg Catechism summarizes in part about this seventh commandment: “You shall not commit adultery.”

Question 109. Doth God forbid in this commandment, only adultery, and such like gross sins?

Answer. Since both our body and soul are temples of the Holy Ghost, he commands us to preserve them pure and holy: therefore he forbids all unchaste actions, gestures, words, thoughts, desires, and whatever can entice men thereto.

Whether it be this commandment or another commandment, there comes a time when we realize that even if we know everything about what to do and what not to do regarding these commandments, and even if we try harder, even our best, we cannot perfectly keep these commandments. This is a good time to pause and consider that the Law leads us not to our own self-righteousness, but to Christ and the righteousness that is in Christ.

Question 115. Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?

Answer. First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, and righteousness in Christ; likewise, that we constantly endeavor and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us, in a life to come. Heidelberg Catechism.

“Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24.

“and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,” Philippians 3:9.