Sex outside the city...

Yesterday, I mentioned that we'd camp out in Leviticus 16-18 for two days for the purpose of discussing the subject of sex from God's perspective as recorded in chapter 18.

Before he even delves in to the topic however, God clarifies his reason for broaching the subject. He explains that he is talking to HIS people, and as such, they are not to behave in the manner that the rest of the known world was behaving in with regard to sexual practices and perversions that were apparently pervasive inside the cities that surrounded the wilderness where they were camped.

I find it fascinating that God says in verse 5 that if his children would obey his decrees and regulations, they would find life. He then reiterated that HE is LORD. It's also intriguing that even a quick read through of this chapter reveals that the types of things God renounced still take place all these years later by those who reject these teachings.

What I want to say about the subject is this: doing things God's way still brings life. I cannot count the number of hurting young women I've counseled over the years who thought that a sexual relationship outside of God's boundaries would bring fulfillment or a deeper level of commitment, only to learn that hollow emptiness was the actual result when the relationship ended.

By contrast, those who've committed themselves for a lifetime to their husband or wife establishing a home where God is Lord of every aspect of their marriage are the blessed recipients of the abundant life that Jesus described in John 10:10! The main thing that we need to remember is that God doesn't give us rules in order to take away our fun or ruin our good times. And although the Bible affirms that there is pleasure in sin for a moment, the end result is always broken fellowship with The Lord. Add to that a healthy dose of guilt and shame and sometimes even physical disease, and you have a recipe for anything but the good life God offers.

I'm so grateful to know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me enough to set protective guidelines as a safeguard for my heart. There is no greater passion than that which is born out of purity, and it is only through His love and forgiveness that we are made pure and able to enjoy freedom from the tyranny of temptation to step across the lines he draws.

Thank you Father, that you forgive all my sins, that you establish limits for my protection, and that because of your redeeming work, I can say no to any temporary pleasure in order to say yes to the eternal benefits of unbroken communion with you.

"Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!"