“Pastor, do you keep these commandments?”

By Pastor Mike Novotny

One evening after teaching a classroom of teenagers about sex, marriage, and living together, a young man raised his hand and asked, “Pastor Mike, do you keep all these commandments?” (I wish there was camera footage of my facial expression after his question!)

Maybe thinking about love, respect, marriage, and sexual purity makes you feel tremendously guilty. Whether your selfishness imploded a previous relationship, your choices have damaged your current relationship, or your sexual history is messy and shameful, most of us wish we could go back and do things a better, more biblical way.

But since we can’t go back, we run ahead to Jesus. We cling to the cross and make our confession, “We sinned. Jesus, we are sorry.” Because (this is my favorite part) Jesus is eternally available to us. Even those of us who have sinned in sexual or relational ways. Your situation might be as embarrassing as the prostitutes who gathered around Jesus or the woman caught in the act of adultery, but please remember that Jesus saved them. And he will save you too.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The same Savior who opened his arms to messy souls back then is opening those same arms to you today. The cross of Jesus doesn’t have an expiration date! So take all of yourself to Jesus. He can handle it. He is the perfect Savior for commandment breakers. Like me and you. 

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About the Author

Pastor Mike Novotny

Pastor Mike Novotny has served God’s people in full-time ministry since 2007 in Madison and currently at The CORE in Appleton, Wisconsin. He also serves as the lead speaker for Time of Grace, where he shares the good news about Jesus through television, radio, print, and online platforms. Mike loves seeing people grasp the depth of God’s amazing grace and unstoppable mercy. His wife continues to love him (despite plenty of reasons not to), and his two daughters open his eyes to the love of God for every Christian. When not talking about Jesus or dating his wife/girls, Mike loves playing soccer, running, and reading.“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

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