I know that finding this in a Christian editorial might seem out of place and trust me, I felt the same way too when the topic came to mind. This, I believe is as a result of misconceptions fed to us about Sex. In most Christian circles, the topic of sex is never discussed. It is abominable to mention God and Sex in the same breath. Of course, we have suffered the consequences of our feigned ignorance over the last couple of decades. Refusing to talk about sex as with many other things we refuse to talk about does not alter their existence. Silence is consent. As a matter of fact in discussing these issues, we uncover misconceptions, debunk ideas and proffer solutions. Many young Christians have become victims due to the church’s persistent silence over the issues of sex and sexual sins. We only awoke to the reality of these things at gun-point. Discussions tending towards this are quickly dismissed amongst this age group and reserved only for the church wedded. Most of the teachings on sex largely involves a set of don’ts and a reel of consequences should we break the rules. These teachings almost always stir in the young, curiosity to uncover what lies hidden behind those shut doors. Of course, it’s pleasurably innocuous in the beginning so we yet indulge ourselves till we are consumed by unguided passions. So, we are faced with two problems majorly: the fear of teaching these things and the methodology of teaching. The purpose of the article is not to sex-educate you but to bring to the fore God’s perspective on something so pure and sacred. As you course through the next few paragraphs bear in mind that my thinking was never limited to fornication but the entire constellation of sexual sin. Run away from sexual immorality [in any form, whether thought or behavior, whether visual or written]. Every other sin that a man commit is outside the body, but the one who is sexually immoral sins against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18 (AMP) The first thing I intend to address is who created Sex and why. The answer simply is God. Scriptures tell us that all things were created by him (God) and nothing that was made, was ever made except by God. This includes sex and as with all that God created, He looked at it and said it was good. Thus, it would be an aberration to discuss sex apart from God. The way to look at sex is through God’s eyes as revealed in scriptures. But then, we stand to reason that if God is all knowing and he knew that what he created would turn out to be the substance of mass destruction as it is today: ruining lives, breaking homes, ravaging systems and the world at large, why did he allow such a thing to exist? Let’s face it! the matter of sexual promiscuity and perversion is a global pandemic and the deleterious effects of such indulgence has only begun. Perhaps, we have underestimated the power this has on us or maybe we chose to extol the pleasure above the dire consequences. You see the existence of evil has never been a reason for God to do or not to do. God never considers evil as a contraindication that determines the outcome of his decisions. In every instance, as God has designed it, good would always prevail over evil in the end. We find ourselves often disturbed about the existence of evil and its effect in the world (our way of thinking for God). Many of us think God must be having a hard time dealing with the evil that exist in our world. As I write this now, I see throughout the minds of most individuals God seated on his throne, rubbing his temple trying to figure out what to do next with this world of darkness. Well, in my own mind, I imagine God sitting on his rocking chair on his porch and sipping lemonade as the sun shimmers down on him (pun intended). Because in truth, God has already rested from his work. There is nothing that God is doing now that he hasn’t already done, not a word he is speaking that he hasn’t already spoken. Everywhere you saw God speak or act, God did not speak or act for the very first time then. Those words framed the world and our own world even before time began. It’s so wonderful when you think about it. What you call your present is God’s past and your future likewise. We all are actors in God’s timeless play and what a story this is, I must confess. The greatest story ever told and God sits back to watch it all unfold before our eyes. God created sex for the same reason he created all things – for his pleasure. All things created by God are a direct expression of himself. A careful examination of all that God has created, and we discover God, the creator in his magnificence and splendour at the end of our search and in this way God is indeed all in all. God’s invisible qualities are revealed in all that our eyes can see, our ears hear, our hands can handle and our bodies can feel. As the Psalmist rightly admonishes “oh taste and see that the Lord is good”. The response to such a discovery of God is awe-struck, reverential worship. The sex experience between a man and his wife ought to bring to bare the attribute of God and provoke us to worship. But all this is lost when we indulge our desires too early. We lose the wonder that ushers us into a deeper and more intimate worship of God. For in fact, this is God’s goal. The institution of marriage was enacted by God to typify the relationship that Jesus has with his Church and not the other way around. For when a man knows his wife, there is an intimacy that naturally ensues from such an experience. We call it carnal knowledge but it is one so deep that it runs through and through to the very core of the individual’s soul. Such a vulnerability that is strength exists between them. Another individual has explored the deepest, most sacred part of you and vice versa and within the confines of God centred marriage, there is safety, succour and support. Christ seeks to have such an intimacy with his Church; one so deep that we could come naked, yet unashamed. One that leaves no space in between. God desires such vulnerability that makes us part of him and him a part of us. No matter where a man is from his wife, he knows that there is someone on the other side of the world that has known him, seen him and felt him more closely than anyone else. He carries her within himself around. Sex within marriage is not the coming together of just bodies, it is the knitting together of souls; a literal “two becoming one flesh” and this pleases God. This is why sex, no matter how casual it might seem, always leaves a mark, a piece of you is given and vice versa. This is the reason why one who indulges in sexual immorality is left empty, sore, broken and ladened down because with many partners and frequent indulgence, you give yet receive nothing or less in return. But in marriage, God fills both your empties because it pleases him. It is necessary to state here that the primary purpose for our bodies is not sex because after reading the earlier paragraphs, it is easy to quickly conclude that the body was created for that purpose and that purpose alone. Our bodies were created to be God’s home, his temple to dwell and as such we ought to hold it in sanctity and honour for this truly pleases God in or out of marriage. An understanding of this, would help us see another human as more than just an object that satisfies our lust; a temporary fill of our appetite in or out of marriage and it would keep you away from sexual sins.
For the young man and woman, the best gift that can be offered in marriage is the gift of our bodies held in sanctity and honour. God prides in our bodies for he desires that we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto him. If God is so interested in our bodies and what we do in them, what better gift to offer his man or woman if not the gift of yourself. I do realise that waiting for the right time is not altogether easy with hormones sipping through every pore in our bodies and social media constantly fanning the flames of your passions. Consider this, that when sin abounds, grace to help in times of need abounds even more. In fact, waiting makes it more valuable altogether. Waiting becomes a gift, a crowning to your jewel. It is commonplace knowledge that the things that are common are often undervalued. Like most of us, I wish I too came whole but I do take joy in knowing that God restores and he heals. You can begin the journey today to hoist the flag of sexual purity and the way is written within the lines. I hope you find them. I therefore beseech you now by the mercies of God, that you offer your bodies, a living sacrifice unto God holy and acceptable which is your reasonable act of worship.
Omovawverhe Oghenekobiruo