Sexual Purity

This Sunday we will continue our considerations of the moral exhortations in the final chapter of Hebrews. While some of us can't relate directly to last week's admonition to care for prisoners who suffer for their faith, we fully understand what it is like to live in a society obsessed with sex and materialism (the topics for this week and next week).

In Hebrews 13:4, our author encourages us to honor marriage in a culture which defiles relationships and sexuality. The foundation of the marriage covenant is God's covenant with us. Our marriages are to picture the relationship between Christ and His church.

Sex itself is not evil. Sex within marriage is precious. The abuse of God's gift, however, calls forth God's judgment. The key to sexual purity is faith that God is most to be desired, and that He will satisfy our needs in His way and His time. Also, through faith, those of us who haven't been pure in the past can experience grace, forgiveness, and transformation.