27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’[e] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (Mt. 5)
Thoughts: George Barna's 2007 research shows that the Sexual Revolution has won in America. All the barrage of sexual innuendos, that became soft porn, that changed what once was x-rated (like Midnight Rider) into PG-13 has come. A strong majority (59%) of those 23-41 years old in America believe it is morally acceptable to cohabit without marriage (formerly called "fornication"). 44% of those 23-41 years old in America believe it is okay to have sex outside of marriage (hope my kids don't marry one of them!). It is not that they do not know that the scriptures say it is wrong. It is that the scriptures are seen only as one source for moral authority. Feelings and desires, along with peers and psychological advisors (or "experts") are just as important if not more important than what is perceived as an ancient book that even some Christians do not believe. Ironically, even those who call themselves "born again" who are under 30 believe cohabitation is morally acceptable today.
The old addage, however, that just because everyone else is doing it (or telling you to do it), does not make it morally right. Does God really care about our sexuality? That is really like asking does God care about us- for sexuality is an intimate part of who we are. Sexuality is a gift given to us by God, and we are called to be good stewards of that gift, guarding that prescious and holy gift with boundaries, and committment. The question for those who say that it is okay if you "really love someone" is, "How do you know that someone really loves you?" Committment was the standard way to know. Promises can be cheap, and the road of life is littered with broken hearts and bodies of those who were promised "love" but were simply used for pleasure.
Prayer: Help me, O Lord, in a culture that seems to be turning away from your standards, to have a listening ear to you. May your voice sound loudly in my ears.
John Calvin Abridged: Though only one sin (adultery) is referred to, fornication and chastity are implied. There are many New Testament passages that interpret this law as referring to fornication as well. Thus the species refers to the whole genus.
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