May 25 - Hebrews 13:4

Let marriage be

held in honor among all, and let

the marriage bed be undefiled, for

God will judge the sexually

immoral and adulterous.

Hebrews 13:4

 

As I write this, America’s Supreme Court is deciding whether to redefine the meaning of marriage.

 

As I write this, American Culture has already redefined what is and isn’t “sexually immoral.”

 

Many of us shudder for our nation as these and plenty of other cultural sins are inviting God to “judge” us.

 

But let’s not dwell on the slivers in the eyes of the world, until we examine the logs in our own eyes.

 

In the context of marriage, you and I need to confess that we’ve been taught (and in many ways have probably in some ways endorsed) culture’s redefinitions of what is and isn’t “sexually immoral.” We’ve winked at and tolerated it in the lives of our friends. We help television producers make millions of dollar by voting for “sexual immorality” with our choices on what we watch. We thumb our nose directly at God by inviting sexual immorality into our own courtship and marriage.

 

God is clear. The context for sex is marriage. Period.

 

·         And yet … what percentage of dating Christians are “going too far”?

·         How many of us are (or did) live together before marriage?

·         How has pornography snuck into our lives and relationships?

 

In general, we’ve defiled the marriage bed before there was even a marriage.

 

Before we can lecture our culture, we need to discipline ourselves. And that’s really the problem with today’s church. Having been seduced by our culture, most of us have lost the personal integrity to address culture.

 

Hear this: Integrity can be restored. No matter our past! But it involves contrition. Repentance is turning away from our sin and turning toward God. It’s hard. But the alternative is worse. It is handing on more and more brokenness to our children and their generation.

 

If sexual sin has happened in your life, I hope you know that God still loves you. Absolutely!!! Nevertheless, isn’t it time to confess our sins … and amend our ways?

 

Every study shows that healthiest, happiest sexual humans are committed married partners … who don’t use pornography or other falsely called “helps”.

 

And yet, we don’t trust God in this! We’re all tempted to follow our own desires. (I know the compulsion. I’m a dumb guy!) But let’s quit justifying our behaviors (… and quit blaming anyone but ourselves when we’re part of a broken culture and marriages that are falling apart).

 

Fidelity brings satisfaction.

 

Question: Are you trusting God in this? Why or why not?

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who wants to hold

(and help others hold)

marriage in greater honor