Thursday, May 3, 2012

Holy Sex


 In the movie, Apollo 13, there is a famous line uttered by Tom Hanks playing the character Jim Lovell.  “Houston, we have a problem.”  It was a bit of an understatement as the spacecraft was in danger of not completing its mission and all the astronauts being killed in the process.
            That line is appropriate for our day and age when it comes to having a Biblical view of sexuality – “Houston, we have a problem!”
            There have been many different views in popular culture but by far the most prevalent view today is sex is a personal way of self-expression.  Timothy Keller states this view in his book The Meaning of Marriage,  “[Our culture sees] Sex is primarily for an individual’s fulfillment and self-realization, however he or she wishes to pursue it.”
            One of the Biblical expressions of being a follower of Jesus is that Jesus becomes the Lord of your life.  (See Romans 10:9)  The idea of Jesus being Lord means that Jesus is in charge.  For those who are followers of Jesus, this is the daily choice we face – who is going to be in charge?  Am I going to be in charge or am I going to relinquish control to Jesus?
            For a person who is not a follower of Jesus, this idea that someone else would be in charge of me is absolutely ludicrous.  If there is one thing that Americans value, it is their freedom.  No one tells me what to do – I am the captain of my own ship; I am a rock, an island; I make my own destiny.  Of course, they are all lies, but that doesn’t make them less popular.
            This popular view of sexuality is a reflection of our belief that we are in charge and the goal of life is to figure out how I can be most self-fulfilled.  And it is in direct opposition to a Biblical view of sexuality.  The Apostle Paul sums up the Biblical view of sex and life most succinctly in his first letter to the Corinthian church (6:19-20):  “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body.”  In other words, God is the one in charge – you aren’t.  It isn’t all about you and your self fulfillment, it is all about God and his glory.
            Lest you begin to think I am a prude or a spoilsport (and even worse, that you would view God that way), know that God designed and created our sexuality for wonderful pleasure and joy.  But we only experience that when we live according to the owner’s manual.  A fine wine will still make us drunk and sick if we guzzle the whole bottle.  The finest sports car will still blow up when we red line the engine constantly.  It is not the wine’s fault nor is it a defect with the car that ruins the experience, it is the fault of the user.
            God is clear on what Holy Sex is all about.  When we become clear about it and live according to God’s design, there is great blessing.  We’ve got to read, study and understand the owner’s manual though.  And, if God talks about it, we should be talking about it too. 
Holy Sex.  It isn’t a misprint or a contradiction.  It is a blessing.

This Sunday at Cold Springs Church - 8, 9 and 10:30 we are going to continue our series on meaningful relationships with Like Me!  Holy Sex.  You don't want to miss it!

Peace and grace,
David