Whether in songs, movies, or books, a number of media today centers around sexual intercourse. People are more likely to encounter sexually suggestive lyrics and euphemisms in music, in addition to plots in movies and tv built around sex.
Not only is there a disregard for the sanctity of marriage in lots of these depictions, but most encourage a way of life that’s unconcerned in regards to the ethics behind sexuality and behavior.
Popular culture tells us it’s okay to experiment with relationships and to see what works for us. Hooking up with multiple people, why not?
Cohabitating, well, that’s the norm now, right? Waiting until marriage to consummate a relationship? That is seen as an outdated teaching that is not any longer applicable in our advanced society.
But is that this true?
According to Christianity, there may be one other view that’s unchanging and based on the next authority than us or our feelings.
The Lord, our Creator, has given us His Word, which tells us essential truths about relationships and marriage. We are sensible to listen and consider what He says.
What Does the Bible Say?
The Lord is the Ruler and Creator of all. Naturally, then, He has authority in our lives to inform us what is correct and incorrect. This isn’t because He is a cosmic killjoy who desires to make our lives miserable. God knows what’s best for us and desires to guard us from the harmful effects of sin.
Thus, what He says in His Word, the Bible, about romantic relationships and sex is vital. Scripture informs us that God created sex as a present to be enjoyed inside the marriage relationship. He brought the primary human couple, Adam and Eve, together in marriage to enjoy this gift (Genesis 2:22-24).
However, the Fall of Man brought sin into the world, which damaged human relationships. Everything has been impacted by sin, including human sexuality and the way people approach sex.
Sin is anything that goes against or rebels against God. Therefore, sex outside of the wedding relationship of 1 man and one woman is a sin since it goes against what God has set in place (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
Scripture refers to sexual immorality as a sin against God and a sin against one’s own body (1 Corinthians 6:18). It is an element of the fleshly nature that seeks to maintain people enslaved to sin.
Premarital sex may cause problems for people. They may catch a transmitted disease or experience an unplanned pregnancy. Also, close physical intimacy connects people on a deeper level because they turn out to be “one” (1 Corinthians 6:16).
Individuals open themselves to emotional and relational pain, especially if an individual’s partner leaves, only desires them one night, or if each treat the connection as an informal interest.
Even if none of these items occur and two individuals are committed to one another, premarital sex remains to be incorrect since it goes against God’s design and offends His holiness.
Although these principles apply to believers and unbelievers equally, Christians are held to the next standard regarding their conduct. The Bible teaches that believers should flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18).
Since the Holy Spirit lives inside them, they need to treat their bodies as a temple and honor the Lord with how they use their bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We were created to glorify Christ and live in relationship with Him.
Premarital sex neither glorifies nor honors the Lord, which is the central reason we should always abstain from any sexual relationships before marriage.
Does This Affect Salvation?
Premarital sex is immoral and must be resisted. However, this doesn’t mean that those that have had sexual relationships before marriage are without hope.
Neither does it mean they’re more stained by sin than others. All individuals are guilty of sin and deserving of punishment (Romans 3:10). None of us deserve God’s love.
Our sinful and undeserving nature makes the love and beauty of God much more amazing. Jesus got here to die for the sins of all people, including those that have engaged in sexual sins.
On the cross, He bore the punishment we deserve and died in our place (Romans 5:6-11; 1 Peter 2:24). By trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection, we are able to receive the salvation He got here to offer us. We need only turn to Him in faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, He showed the transformative power of His love. People that others scowled at and whispered about as being sinners were drawn to Christ.
While the religious leaders scoffed at Jesus’ ministry, quite a few of those “sinners” were receiving forgiveness for his or her sins and entering the dominion of God (Matthew 21:31).
Included were women who had engaged in sexual immorality and, in consequence, had tainted reputations (see Luke 7:36-50). In Christ, though, they were made recent.
No one should ever think they’re too guilty or dirty to be washed clean by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:7).
He is prepared to just accept all who come to Him in faith, no matter their past. When they do, He gives them a recent life (2 Corinthians 5:17). No longer do former sins define them.
How Should Believers Address This Sin?
As believers, we’re sensible to think about the grace of God. If the Lord says that an individual is washed clean in Christ, then we’ve no right to carry past sins against that person.
Christians who’ve engaged in premarital sex of their past should not less due to their sin. They have been saved and forgiven.
The matter is different, though, if a Christian is unrepentantly engaging in sexual immorality. We see examples within the Bible of believers battling sexual sins, but they were confronted and rebuked (1 Corinthians 5:1-5 and 6:September 11).
If the believer continues to have interaction in unrepentant sin, then the church might want to act. Scripture advises removing the offending brother or sister from the congregation with the hopes of eventual restoration (1 Corinthians 5:5, 11).
A Christian who has engaged in premarital sex can receive forgiveness in the event that they repent and ask the Lord to forgive them (1 John 1:9).
We should not called, nevertheless, to depart the world where sexual immorality is rampant (1 Corinthians 5:10). When coping with unbelievers, we want to approach this issue in reality and love, in addition to with a healthy awareness of our own sins.
Christians have generally gained a fame for turning their noses up and acting as in the event that they are more righteous than others.
Instead of using words laced with condemnation, we want to lovingly speak the reality (Ephesians 4:15). Sexual immorality, including premarital sex, is a sin.
However, it isn’t worse than other sins. For example, the Bible tells us that if we lust after someone in our hearts, it is similar as committing adultery (Matthew 5:28).
As believers, we were all once slaves to sin and deeds of darkness (Romans 6:17; Ephesians 5:8). Let us remember the large grace God has shown us in order that we don’t take care of others harshly or with excessive criticism.
The Holy Spirit will convict the person (John 16:8). We don’t have to add more blame and shame but point individuals to the life-changing news of salvation in Christ.
What Does This Mean?
Premarital sex is a sin, in line with the Bible. It dishonors God and His design for marriage. Both believers and unbelievers sin after they engage in any sexual relationships that fall outside the Bible’s definition of the wedding relationship.
However, this doesn’t mean that folks who’ve “connected” with others before marriage are worse sinners than others. Neither does it mean that they’re without hope of salvation.
Scripture details many individuals who had engaged in sexual immorality, coming to Christ and being washed of their guilt and shame. Premarital sex is incorrect and an affront against the Lord, however it doesn’t make someone unsavable.
Christians have to be willing to face firm on the Bible’s teaching about human sexuality and sexual relationships. We shouldn’t sacrifice a loving stance, though, at the same time as we remain committed to the reality.
Let us remind ourselves that “all have sinned and fall in need of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that got here by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).
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Sophia Bricker is a contract author who enjoys researching and writing articles on biblical and theological topics. In addition to contributing articles about biblical questions as a contract author, she has also written for Unlocked devotional. She holds a BA in Ministry, a MA in Ministry, and is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing to develop her writing craft. As someone who’s keen about the Bible and faith in Jesus, her mission is to assist others study Christ and glorify Him in her writing. When she isn’t busy studying or writing, Sophia enjoys spending time with family, reading, drawing, and gardening.
