Sex, Instructions Included

Sex, Instructions Included

(Steve Matson – Lead Pastor)

 

Be creative. Dream and manipulate. Think outside of the box; in fact, throw away the box.  Those are good and healthy words in many areas of life.  But there are other areas where those are awful words.  There are some areas of life where there is specific design and intent, and to get “creative” invites in disaster.  I don’t need to take time to give illustrations here, because we can all think of illustrations in both areas

For those of us who are followers of Jesus, we understand that there are some areas of life where God says “Be creative. Dream and manipulate. Think outside of the box.”  And there are some areas where God says “I am the creator and I have created with design and intent. Follow my instructions.”

The issue of sex and sexual roles is one of those areas where God says “Don’t get creative here. Follow my intent and you will find the joy that sex is designed for.” Sex, actually, is the first issue that God does address with words of design and intent.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Genesis 2:24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

            When sin came into the world, an assault began on God’s design in every arena including sex, and in Genesis we have men and women being disastrously creative with sex. And in our day we find the departure from God’s design in full expression in our world. We could rail against the culture at this point, but I am more interested in addressing those of us who profess faith in Jesus. As the challenge from the culture rises it becomes more and more important that we as Christians are anchored in God’s intent as Creator. I can’t take the time here to list specifics, so let me simply note Proverbs 3:5-6. This passage encourages us with these words, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths”. Here is my simple encouragement.

·        Let us be very careful to not lean on our own understanding about sex and the right relationship between men and women.  Our sinfulness goes too deep and is too deceptive.  God’s Word must be our guide.

·        Let us acknowledge God by gladly submitting to His instructions about sex.  He is the Creator and His ways are good.

·        Let me rest in the promise that He will make our paths straight. Following God’s design leads to life.

At Journey these days we are working through I Peter in the Sunday morning worship gatherings.  As part of this study we have come to I Peter 3:1-7, where God has provided us with insight into His intent for husbands and wives.  I encourage you to study this passage on your own and to listen to the sermons online if you have missed them. This coming Sunday (3-23-14) we will be considering homosexuality, and I encourage you to be with us Sunday for the sermon as I address a topic that is unavoidable in our nation these days.

God has provided with much in His creation to manipulate and twist and design as we desire.  Sex is not one of the areas.  Sex comes with wonderful design and intent. Praise God for His good gift.