Sexual Morality

Sexual morality requires the strongest discipline. Therefore, the rewards are tremendous.

Sexual Morality is a virtue that not many strive for in our times. There are even many professing Christians who do not see the importance of sexual morality, even though the words of the Holy Scriptures leave no doubt as to what God expects of his people.

Jesus will bless the pure in heart. Why is it, then, that so many people prefer to reward themselves with the things of the flesh, even though the Master promised the most wonderful blessing to the pure in heart;

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matthew 5: 8)

God gave the law of Sexual Morality. Let's look at the original law, and see how it is repeated by Jesus and the Apostles. Let's start with the words of Jehovah (Jesus) to the children of Israel;

14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)

Some will say that when Jesus came to fulfill 'the law and the prophets', that the commandments were taken away by him, even though he himself said that he had not come to take away the 'law and the prophets' but to 'fulfill' them. See the words of Jesus that he taught the young ruler; is there anything in this that says that chastity is no longer a commandment?

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Matthew 19:17-19)

Then, of course, you have the desperate sinner, who will say that the law was done away in the death and resurrection of Jesus, and that obedience to the law is of evil. Look at the words of the Apostles, who clearly taught the commandments, time after time, after the death and resurrection of the Master:

9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Romans 13:9)

The law of Sexual Morality has a purpose. By living chaste we prepare for a strong bond between one man and one woman, joined together in the presence of God.

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. (Genesis 2:24-25)

A man and a woman who are one flesh build an endless love. The sexual act is a strong bonding sacrament between two chaste people.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Ephesians 5:28-33)

By breaking the law of sexual morality the sacrament is defiled, the partner desecrated, and the marriage union is weakened. Whether the sexual sin was committed before or after the marriage union makes no difference, the marriage, or marriage-to-be, will have been weakened! A weakened bond between husband and wife will bring harm to the children. God wants everyone to be happy, and as far as man and woman goes, happiness is found in marriage, fidelity and the children that such a union brings. As far as children goes, true happiness is found in a family where their mother and father loves each other endlessly.

4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. (Matthew 19:4-9)

What Jesus said about divorce. There are always victims in a divorce. Unfortunately, there are often children involved, and they are always innocent victims. Sometimes the husband or the wife have been faithful and done their utmost to be a good spouse, but the other spouse puts her/him away for some reason. This is not acceptable in the sight of the Lord:

7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

10 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.

11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery. (Mark 10:7-12)

It is not a sin to leave a spouse who is abusive. The “leaving” is actually being done by the person abusing the other or their children. Abuse is a horrible act of abandonment.

Ministers of Christ must be Clean! If sexual morality is a commandment of God to everyone, it is self-evident that everyone who has embarked on the service of God must be absolutely clean.

11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. (Isaiah 52:11)

The greatest blessings of the Lord are given to the pure in heart with clean hands. They will see God and be invited into Holy Places;

3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. (Psalms 24:3-6)

The sinner can "go and sin no more". A broken heart and a contrite spirit will lead the sinner to true repentance. And a genuine repentance will lead to a renewed pure heart and clean hands anew. But God will not be mocked by those who call for forgiveness or salvation who returns over and over to their sinful behavior!