May 3, 2023

Today's Reading:  Luther’s Small Catechism Table of Duties: Sixth Commandment

Daily Lectionary: Leviticus 16:1-24; Luke 10:1-22

The Sixth Commandment:  You shall not commit adultery.  What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other. 

In the Name + of Jesus. After reading this commandment as well as some of the other things that the church has said about sex over the centuries, you might reach the conclusion that the best thing to do would be to avoid sex altogether. Celibacy, it would seem, might be the better choice for the Christian. This is certainly where the medieval church came down on things. Before and even during the time of Luther celibacy was considered superior to marriage. The celibate were better believers and were more capable of pleasing God than those that were married. In other words, it was more Christian to abstain from sex entirely and even sex within marriage carried the taint of sin. 

For Luther the sixth commandment is more about giving sex its proper place in marriage  than it is about banning sex in general. Sex is not a prohibited activity, it is a gift from God that is meant to be enjoyed by husband and wife. Sex can and should take place, but only within the context of marriage. It is the one flesh relationship that is part of God’s intentions for His creation. Marriage, rather than being an inferior status, should be considered the default for the vast majority of Christians. Celibacy is also a gift of God, but it is a rare gift and does not make someone a superior Christian. 

Sexually pure does not mean free from sex from birth to death, it means that sex ought only take place within marriage. It was designed by God for husband and wife, for the procreation of children, and as an expression of their love for one another.  In fact, Luther links marriage to the promise to Abraham that in his seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed. (LW Vol 4 pg. 233) In that promise, the marriage bed is regarded as undefiled and marriage is honorable because of their connection to the Seed which is Christ.  Ultimately this means that you are pure because Christ was pure on your behalf, on behalf of your future spouse, and on behalf of any children you may have.  Amen.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Gracious Savior, grant Your blessing To this husband and this wife, That in peace they live together In Your love throughout their life. Christ, defend them from the tempter And from all that would destroy Love’s foundation You have laid here, And its threshold paved with joy. (Gracious Savior, Grant Your Blessing, LSB 860:1)

- Pastor Grant A Knepper is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Modesto, CA.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.