Fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire

Colossians 3:1-11

       
          My father in law has a wonderful saying and it applies to almost any story you hear. "There's the story and then there is the real story". Wow.  It's so simple and yet it is a powerful truth. It also applies when two people have an argument. Each side has their story and the truth, the real story, lies somewhere in between.

       In regard to 'fornication, impurity, passion and evil desire' , there is also the story and the real story.
This reading might have you think that as followers of Christ we are called to be asexual hermits denying every sexual aspect of our being. In point of fact, this was more a diatribe against overt sexual immorality that existed at that time and in that place. And of course, since we all have some hang ups, the reading cannot be seen without the context of what Paul himself was feeling on the subject.

       For example, prostitution was a common practice even then. They do call it the worlds oldest profession after all. Children and men were not immune from such activity. Even that seemed tolerable, what was intolerable was being used as a woman. In sexual terms, it would be what was viewed as the submissive role. I am not agreeing with that at all, women have thankfully come a long way. The fact remains however that in that time women were subservient. Prostitution was OK and same sex relations were OK as long as you were not the subservient one.  The diatribe in this passage against fornication, impurity, passion and evil desire was more about sexual behavior outside the normal realm of behaviour.  Unfortunately what was 'normal' is even less clear and therefore is open to speculation . A common theme of so called conservative Christians is that it is speaking against same sex relationships.  In fact, it railed only against being in that subservient role.  It railed against rampant lust, sexual relations outside of a relationship (however that was defined at the time) and indiscriminate sex and rape.

        This is not the kind of story that usually comes out of this passage. You hear the story but there is the real story. The real story, the translations and meanings are not as crystal clear about sex. You cannot take a passage out of context. Worse, you cannot place our context onto an ancient civilization and expect the translation to be correct. You have to consider many factors, I have said that before.

        God made us as sexual beings. Somewhere between total asexual celibacy and rampant sexual immorality, is where we should be. Some will be called to celibacy but even that is not asexual. I recall the excellent book from years ago called The Sexual Celibate. On the other end of the spectrum it seems to me might be someone who is bisexual and is not partnered. Even then, we cannot be indiscriminate and casual with sex or sexuality. There are bounds of morality and behaviour. I once described that sex should be consensual and mutually respectful. That seems like a good general rule.

         As sexual beings we are meant to explore and enjoy it. It is a gift. A gift to enjoy and respect, no matter who we are. This is not against the Bible. It is a gift from God.

So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.

Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!