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Topics: Womanhood, Women, Women in Ministry

The Single and Sexual Purity

November 14, 2013
By CBMW
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purity and singles

By Katie Van Dyke

(Editor’s Note: Over the next few Thursday’s we will feature articles related to sexual intimacy. Today is the second post of our series. You can read the first one here. Please note that there will be a variety of perspectives shared within this series.)

It is no secret that sexual impurity is running rampant in our society. You can’t turn on the radio or TV without being slapped in the face with it. This idea of sexual freedom is everywhere and, shamefully, even in the church. It’s amazing to me how widespread it has become among young singles in the church, even those that seem to really seek godliness in other areas. And, even more shocking, is the fact that sexual impurity is in many cases right out in the open. In one instance, they are teaching Bible studies or speaking of God’s glory. In the next instance, they are posting pictures and talking about their weekend get-away with their significant other. Single brothers and sisters in Christ, this ought not to be.

Christ and His Bride

Sexual activity was created by God for marriage and marriage (of one man and one woman) only (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5,6). Later in Scripture, Paul goes further and explains that marriage exemplifies Christ and his Bride, the Church (Ephesians 5:22-33). When you engage in any sexual activity outside of marriage, you are not just sinning against your own body (1 Corinthians 16:16-18). Even worse, you are in direct rebellion to the Lord and completely misrepresenting the relationship between Christ and his church. You are lying to the world about how Christ and his Church engage with one another. You are perverting and distorting this beautiful and holy covenant. This is a serious offense, singles. The gospel you claim to uphold and defend is actually being hindered by your sexual promiscuity. You cannot truly proclaim the gospel to this lost and dying world if you are engaging in sexual activity outside of marriage. Likewise, the ministry of the Lord cannot flourish in your life if you are engaging in blatant and unrepentant sin. Stop fooling yourselves. Stop making a fool of God. Stop misrepresenting and falsifying the gospel.

Flee From Temptation

Thankfully, our gracious Lord has promised to never give us more temptation than we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). He will always provide a way out. Of course, we are to be wise in our decision making. It’s much harder to find the way out once we are in the heat of the moment. So, we must be wise and put up guards to keep ourselves from even getting into that situation to begin with. However, if you do find yourself there, FLEE (1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Timothy 2:22). Get up. Get out. I don’t care if you have to run down the street like a crazy person. There is too much at stake if you don’t. There is too much damage to be done if purposeful action is not taken against sin.

Forgiveness

If you have engaged in sexual activity outside of marriage or are currently doing so, there is great news! Complete forgiveness can be found in our Lord. No matter what the sin, we can find forgiveness when we repent (1 John 1:9). It does not matter how deeply entangled you are in your sin. The Lord takes the repentant heart in its current condition and transforms it by his grace. It is not too late to seek forgiveness and to start living in purity before him. In fact, all of your sins (past, present, and future) are covered in the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:13-14). Even further, he actually purchased us with his blood. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that we really aren’t our own. We have been bought with a price. We are now Christ’s and our bodies belong to him. Therefore, I urge you to not wait another minute. If you have been overcome by sexual sin, seek forgiveness and turn from it quickly. Single brothers and sisters, let us flee from sin and chase after righteousness for the sake of the gospel, holy and pure.

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Katie Van Dyke currently lives in Houston, where she works for an energy company downtown. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and watching movies. As a single woman, she knows the day to day struggles singleness can bring and has a heart to encourage other young women in the same stage of life. Her main passions in life are family and biblical womanhood, and hopes, Lord willing, to one day become a godly wife and mother. Her other passions in life are macaroni and cheese and bacon. Read more from Katie at gatheredingrace.blogspot.com.

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