Hi all,
Reading a statement that the gospel and sex were so directly connected to the first century gospel message is probably a shock to many. Most didn’t realize how sexualized Roman society was, and how the message of Christ was so relevant and different to them. Today we hear an evangelistic message and there is no presentation of sex in proper creation context, it is a ‘me’ gospel, so sterile and high sounding. But back then, the gospel was practical, revolutionary in every way, even entering into the bedroom and marriage. Jesus could change everything.
Go back to the creation story and understand it in context, and then realize Paul was referencing this connection in Ephesians 5: 21-end when he said a husband and wife in Christ is like Christ and the church. He mentioned sexual practices in very nearly every one of his letters, that’s how integrated sex and the gospel message was. Amazing.
Compared to society
When God’s view of sex was presented to people like the Corinthians, Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians, it was revolutionary, a massive reset from they way these (now former) pagans had been raised, and counter-culture to the world around them. This is one reason Paul mentions many times to ‘flee fornication’. But he never just said ‘stop that’ but rather pointed them to who they are now in Christ. That shows us a solution for our day.
This list of sins in I Corinthians 6:9 mirrors the culture of the day: “You know that no unrighteous person will enter the kingdom of God. Those unrighteous who are fornicators (sex outside of marriage), idolaters (sex with temple prostitutes), adulterers (those unfaithful to their spouse), effeminate (homosexual/bi), abusers of themselves with mankind (sexual perversion)….v11: “And such were some of you, but now are you washed, now are you set aside for God, now are you justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the Spirit of God.”
The emphasis: And such were some of you. This passage lists past sins and the culture in which they lived, but focuses on who they are now in Christ. That is the solution – what is God doing in you now. That culture was still around them in Corinth. But they were to focus on who they are now in Christ.
Be aware of your past, learn from your past – that’s why God doesn’t wipe our memories when we come to Him – that we may learn and appreciate and be able to share what He did for us. Paul presents here the elevation of sex to its intended divine purpose, order, and place in a person’s life as we leave past sexual sins to experience it in proper intent. Now are you washed – you are born again. Now are you sanctified – set apart of God’s use. Now are you justified through Christ by the Spirit – justified doesn’t mean just cleared of sin, but proven to be God’s, with Him as our advocate. That is our focus.
Every Christian is called to a degree of abstinence
The teaching of abstinence for teens is only part of the truth. Everyone is called to a degree of abstinence. Any abstinence a teen is taught must be within the larger context of a life of discipline and self-control. Paul mentions husband and wife abstaining for a season of fasting and prayer, but coming together again before Satan can tempt them by their lack of control. (I Corinthians 7: 5)
Abstinence isn’t intended to reduce pleasure, but rather to safe-guard a reservoir of love for the right person, in the right way.
Self-control doesn’t restrict, it protects. When a couple makes vows to forsake all others and know only they two, they pledge to protect the integrity of their marriage by abstaining from sexual relations with anyone outside the marriage.
Because the revelation of God’s plan for sexuality was so revolutionary and counterculture to the Roman world, within 300 years after Pentecost it had overturned the pagan culture of the Empire.
Consider that a proper understanding of sexuality is so central to the gospel, that a Christian who turns from these truths ceases to become a Christian of any meaning or witness to their life.
A husband and wife each abstains from the sins mentioned above in order to be faithful to one another. A single person is to abstain until they marry. That is actually great freedom, a singleness of purpose, an elevation to the sexual union to a type of Christ and the church in a divine creation order. If a person wants their life to be ordered by the Lord, they will include in that order their sexual desires and practices. Self-control allows a person’s purpose to be revealed, His divine order to their life, education, work, and relationships to be defined in Him.
The church has failed to teach the spiritual and mystical meaning of sex between husband and wife. At the most a church may preach abstinence, but rarely does it teach the deeper truths comparing the world and its bondage masquerading as freedom, with the freedoms within Christ.
Within the bounds of marriage there is great freedom. The freedom to know another person in such a way that no one else on earth knows them as well – spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, physically – there is great freedom and fulfillment within the bounds of marriage.
When a husband serves and honors his wife as Christ loves the church, then he becomes the husband to the Proverbs 31 woman; “His heart does safely trust in her.” (v11) That safety, that rest, that security, is great freedom. Like a nation with secure borders, within those borders is peace and safety. If the borders, marriage or nation, are not protected, destructive elements enter in and eventually that home will fail.
There is so much more to share….we conclude next week, until then, blessings,
John Fenn
