Pastor Kyle continues: We need to be clear what truth is when the Word of God in holy Scripture communicates it. Sexual morality from a biblical perspective is one man (male) and one woman (female) in the context of marriage. In Mark 10:6 The Lord Jesus tells us, “from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’” Any sexual activity outside that definition is outside of God’s criteria for biblical sexual morality (Greek – Pórnos, where we get the word pornography from). The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word “fornication” as the sin of: consensual sexual intercourse between two persons not married to each other. A sexual act is any sexual act, and done outside of the context of marriage is sexual immorality. The Apostle Paul proclaims in Galatians 5:16-21 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now, the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
James 1:13-15 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
With modern computers, tablets and phone screens, with access to all sorts of sexual immorality all the time. That which is sexual immoral is common and normalized in society that the public hardly bats an eye, let alone is repulsed by this sin that leads to the wrath of God unto eternal damnation in Hell, if unrepented. In the final analysis, in light of God’s best now and eternity, is it ultimately worth it? Submit to Creator God’s design for sexual morality, instead of trying to reinvent it. It is unpopular in secular society to say that pre-marital sex is sin, but we do not know better than God. We live in a fallen in sin world, so Jesus explains God’s Plan of Salvation in John 3:17-19, 35-36 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
Romans 3:22-23 confirms that the righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Everyone should be treated with dignity and love, as the goal is to seek and save the lost. We are all made in the image of God. Nobody should be mocked, bullied, put down, or denied rights for sinful behavior, but the light of truth must expose sin for what is truly is in order to convict the sinner and point to the foot of the Cross for repentant redemption in Christ alone through faith alone. The Christian church is a light on the hill in the darkness, teaching the Word of God and preaching the Gospel. Born-again transformation of the heart unto justification is not merely behavior modification because the converted Christian has aligned their will with God’s perfect Word, Will and Way, and God’s desires is their desire. God is good all the time, Jesus is with you always and will never let you down, and the Holy Spirit will guide you gently to the truth. The offer is to all; come and experience the love and mercy of God through the Cross of redemption and forgiveness by faith in Jesus Christ. Every single sin of whatever kind that is perpetrated on this earth will be punished by God. Every single sin that you have committed and I have committed will be punished by God, either on us in hell, or on Christ at Calvary. God is infinite justice. He cannot tolerate sin. Sin separates us from our loving Maker, but salvation in Christ brings reconciliation and reconnection.
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2 Timothy 2:19-22 “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
The good news of Christ includes His lordship over every area of life, and true gospel proclamation will extend to moral issues. Yet, it is possible to accept people without accepting everything that they are doing; it’s called tolerance. Tolerance is defined as the power or capacity of enduring; being willing to put up with endure, bear with those whose views and lifestyles are different than yours without agreeing with them. All Christians should be tolerant in this correct and historical meaning of that word. Jesus’ parable in Matthew 13:24-30 of the Wheat and the Tares is about tolerance and peaceful coexistence. And in Romans 12:18 the Apostle Paul instructs us, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” The American Declaration of Independence states: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness [in alignment with that Creator God’s Word, Will and Way] revealed in His Holy Bible, because happiness is found in holiness and righteousness. There is a God and He is not you or I.
Romans 1:28-32 “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”
Let's conclude Pastor Kyle"s message on "biblical morality" in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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