Alternatives?

In Sunday's message we talked about God's sexual ethics. Sexual activity, sexual fulfillment is to be expressed in heterosexual marriage. God's ethic is both pro-sex and it protects people.

But another ethic that is often proposed is that sex is good so long as it's between two consenting adults. This sounds reasonable but upon further consideration this ethic doesn't actually rule out much. Adultery and cheating are not ruled out. But most people aren't pro-adultery and pro-cheating (at least when it happens to them). Prostitution is not ruled out. But most people do not think prostitution is a good thing. Even incest isn't ruled out. If two adults who happen to be related want to have sex, this ethic says go for it. The sexual ethic of sex is good so long as it's between two consenting adults sounds good but in truth it doesn't rule out sexual activity which most people find objectionable.

Another ethic that is often proposed is that sex is good so long as two people are in a loving committed relationship. This adds love and monogamy to the "two consenting adults" ethic. And while this seems like an improvement to the above ethic it's still pretty fuzzy. Define love. What does that mean? Define monogamy. Is it serial monogamy or permanent monogamy? In other words can I have as many sexual partners as I want so long as I only have one at a time? Does such an ethic really protect people from feeling used and abandoned by sexual partners? I don't think so.

A lot of people today aren't wild about God's sexual ethics. But coming up with an alternative that is both pro-sex and protects people isn't so easy. And ultimately I think the proof is in the pudding. I think we come to know and love the truth of God's ethic by living it. I know lots of followers of Jesus Christ who regret past sexual activity. I don't know any followers of Jesus Christ who regret their virginity.

So I would urge you to give God's way a try.