Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Sexual Ethics”
Our Bible verse for today: “Run from sexual immorality! Every sin a person can commit is outside the body. On the contrary, the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body. Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Sexual ethics matter”
According to the dictionary an “ethic” is, “A system of moral principles or values.” Therefore a “sexual ethic” is a system of moral principles or values which govern our sexuality. Such a system of principles and values will determine how we think and act when it comes to sexual issues.
In the Bible we find the sexual ethic (the system of moral principles and values pertaining to sexual conduct) which was established by God. This sexual ethic started in the creation, it was further taught in the Old Testament, and it was reaffirmed in the New Testament by Jesus, as well as by Paul and some of the other New Testament writers. It is a sexual ethic which applies to all people in all places for all time. In other words, it applies to everyone, always.
However over the last fifty years the world has been caught-up in a revolution, and a resulting evolution, with respect to sexual ethics. Biblical principles regarding appropriate sexuality have been turned upside down. Worse, in recent times the revolution has begun to snowball and changes to time-honored standards are occurring at an ever-increasing rate. Gay marriage, gender identity, cohabitation, a hook-up culture, and much more are all being openly practiced and even promoted as good and normal.
How are Christians to respond and act in the midst of this? For those who are determined to remain faithful to the Biblical sexual ethic, how do we stand strong in the face of ever-increasing cultural pressure and even possible legal action? And not only is the question how should we respond, but what should our attitude and demeanor be when we do?
All this month we will devotionally explore this very sensitive and divisive issue. We will consider exactly what the Bible does (and does not) say on this issue of sexual ethics. We will discuss the proper attitude with which we are to engage those with whom we disagree, and we will consider strategies for the people of God to navigate this very difficult cultural landscape.
On Monday we will begin the conversation with a discussion about attitude.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 