Question 1

What does God do about our unfaithfulness?

Accepted Answer

2 Timothy 2:11-13This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.God remains constant despite our inconsistencies. The saying above acknowledges four aspects of how God responds to our unfaithful tendencies. First, there can be no wavering in death; God’s promises rewards to those who “die with him.” Second, enduring hardship is an extended experience that God recognizes and rewards with eternal fellowship. Third, when we persistently reject God, his only response can be to deny us in eternity. Fourth, we are unable to sustain the level of constant faith and practice that God demonstrates in his character. In response, God’s mercy and faithfulness meets our failure and brokenness with his grace.Luke 22:31-34“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”Jesus’ words allowed some hope for Peter despite his predicted unfaithfulness by denying Jesus. The hope could come through Peter’s repentance and return to Jesus. The follow-up to this exchange is found in John 21:15-22, an extended conversation between Jesus and Peter during which the humbled disciple was reinstated and assured of a restored purpose among Jesus’ followers.

Question 2

How do we respond to unfaithfulness in marriage?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 5:27-32“You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’ But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.”Note that Jesus pairs his teaching on lust directed toward men with his teaching on divorce also directed toward men, citing unfaithfulness as the only legitimate justification for divorce. The warning about lust as the equivalent of adultery creates a compelling caution in a society where men typically could divorce their wives for any reason. By Jesus’ definition, few married men could claim they had never been unfaithful.

Unfaithfulness