The sin of adultery is a way of life which is in violation of the law of Christ, who is head and owner of the Church. When a man or woman puts away their mate, except (unless) it be for fornication, and marries another, they are living in adultery. Fornication is an illicit act of life and can be committed by married or unmarried people. Marriage may not be involved. In this present day and age, many abuse and ignore this law, but all should remember that "God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap." Some Churches, perhaps, have grown careless and condone things which are forbidden by the Lord, The church is under the law of Christ and must answer to him for the conduct of her members as a body and also as individuals. The law of Christ does not change with the fads and fashions of men. The Pharisees also came unto Jesus and tried to array Jesus Christ against Moses, in order to tangle him in his teaching. "The Pharisees also carne unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause (any reason)? And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they arc no more twain, but one flesh, What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder They (Pharisees) say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He said unto them. Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, whosoever shall put away his wife, except (unless) it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marries her which is put away doth commit adultery." Matt. 19:3-9

Jesus Christ gave only one exception for a man or woman to put away their mate by divorce and marry another and not be living in adultery. If a man or woman be guilty of fornication, the innocent mate can put them away and marry another, and not live in adultery. Moses did not command them to give a writing of divorcement and put away their wives. Moses only suffered them to do so, but from the beginning it was not so. Who would say that God prefixed and predestinated something that was not so? The law of Christ must be obeyed and respected by the church and her members, or be in open rebellion against the Lord. No one who is living in adultery hath any inheritance in the militant or organized Church which is in his kingdom, When a man proves himself unfaithful to his vow and trust in marriage, will he be faithful in any other trust ? When a man or woman breaks the sacred vows of marriage, they are in gross violation of the law or Christ. If the Church condones such, It will cause trouble sooner or later; because it will follow them wherever they go. No one can hide any thing from the all seeing eye of the Lord. The Apostle Paul said, "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel." A man that is put in trust with the gospel has a most sacred trust to which no preacher should prove unfaithful, either in word or deed. Where much is given, must is required. The Church should not suffer any of her members to live in adultery. If that is their way of life, they should be cut off. A preacher, who is living in adultery, cannot be an example to the flock. Fornication, which is an illicit act of life, is a very grievous sin and should not be condoned by the church. A preacher, who commits fornication and tries to impose himself upon the Church, cannot be trusted nor be an example to the flock. The Church is under obligations to execute the law of Christ, but if she will not be so governed, then the Lord Jesus Christ will execute his own law, and the Church will suffer his judgments and chastisements, which are often severe. C. M. Mills