A Commitment to Purity

May 18, 2010

This past Sunday was our final lesson in our “True Love Waits” series.  The purpose of this series has been to discuss the subject of sexuality and sexual purity in a way that is relevant, realistic and yet biblical.  The mainstream media and our culture get to express their views and give recommendations regarding how we should treat our sexuality and the church is often hesitant to enter into this conversation.  During the past month we have discussed the possibility of living life to the full.

Now many people might suggest that living life to the full involves doing whatever you want, with whoever you want, whenever you want.  While this lifestyle may be stylish it seems to be far from fulfilling.  Broken hearts, broken dreams, broken homes and broken marriages are some of the obvious products of this way of living.  In our conversations, I’ve suggested that perhaps God (the almighty creator of the universe) really does know what kinds of choices and decisions are best for us.  Perhaps when we adopt God’s standards and priorities as our own, we are far closer to freedom and fulfillment than if we chose any other path.

Our conversations haven’t centered on a detailed understanding of “right” and “wrong.”  We have avoided the temptation to focus on the line between good and bad, acceptable and unacceptable, because this line normally leaves us with two kinds of people: the sinner and the self-righteous.  As Christians desiring to live by God’s grace, we have tried to set Christ in the center of the conversation and focus our attention on Christ alone.

In our final conversation this past Sunday we discussed the reality of dating.  While it’s flattering to have someone who likes you and exciting to have a boyfriend or girlfriend to share with, I wonder if it has much value.  Unless you are ready to consider marriage, I’m convinced that your time and energy will be best spent focusing on who God has called you to be.  Are you looking for someone who is self-confident, intelligent, has a plan for their life, is emotionally stable, considers their faith to be a priority in their life?  If you found such a person would they be interested in you?  If you aren’t confident with who you are, if you aren’t clear about what your plan is for your life and if you don’t like yourself very much, then a romantic relationship is (at best) a risk.  If, on the other hand, you spend your time getting yourself straight and strengthening your relationship with God, I’m confident that you will attract the kind of person that you’re looking for and you can avoid the drama and the heartache of most adolescent romance.

If you’re interested in embracing a commitment to make sexual purity a priority in your life, check out THIS.  It gives you an idea of what will happen during a service of worship when you will have a chance to make this kind of declaration publicly.  Read the document and let me know if you’re interested in participating either at the 9am service on May 30 or the 11am service on June 6.

So, what do you think about all of this?  Does this make sense?  Is it practical/relevant?  Is this too idealistic?  Could this work?

<><Adam

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