Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Beyond the Gospels: Corinthians

Read: 1 Corinthians 7:1-16
[No Bible handy? Click the link above to read online.]

God has a way and a not the way for everything. Even sexuality. And the only safe God-honoring way for sex to happen is within the boundaries of marriage: one man, one woman.

Sex is an amazing gift from God. He came up with the idea and therefore knows the way He intends for us to practice it for our good and His glory. Anything outside His way, off-course of His well-defined plan, leaves a path of destruction in its wake.

The primary benefit of sex is the unique bonding of a husband and wife together in relationship. The two become one (Genesis 2:24). When sex happens outside a committed loving marriage it leads to unwanted children, abortion, disease, heartache, insecurity, divorce, broken homes...

The relationship between husband and wife is the most sacred relationship we can experience. It is the picture God uses to explain His relationship with His Church.

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh." This mystery is profound,
and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
Ephesians 5:31-32 ESV

Every biblical marriage between Believers is the basic building block of the church. Where two or three are gathered in His name, He is there with them (Matthew 18:20). The sexual relations between a man and a woman in marriage grows not only intimacy, but also the church. Every child a new member of the church. Every family a church in and of itself.

Yesterday's Word taught us we are not our own. We belong to the One who died for us. So when it comes to sexuality and honoring God it is only right to follow His way. It is the only way good for us and for His Church.

No wonder Satan tempts us in so many ways when it comes to sex. When used outside God's boundaries, it destroys the foundation of His Church.

How many ways can you think of that sexuality practiced outside God's boundaries is causing conflict and division in the church today?

Father God, open our eyes to the lies the world has been telling us about sex.
Convict us, purify us, forgive us, for undermining Your Church
for the feeding of our flesh.

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