Galatians 5:22-6:10
Two people do the same thing, why is one wrong and one right? That's sort of where my thoughts are brought to. Why is having sex outside of marriage condemned by some but within marriage it is then considered sacred and holy? I'm not sure I want to delve into this too deeply except for that one note in today's scripture that notes about 'sowing to the Spirit'. Let me make it perfectly clear too that this kind of sowing is not the sowing of seed ( as in sperm ). Sowing is our actions, no matter what they are. Still, sex seems like a good starting point.
As an unabashed ultra liberal, many people fail to realize that on many issues I am quite conservative. On marriage for example, I have a pretty conservative view. Vows are sacred and to be honoured, lived up to, embraced and enjoyed to the full whether you are gay or straight. At the same time though I know sex have been almost demonized and is full of quirky if not scary taboos.
Our sexuality is one of God's greatest gifts to us, not a distraction of the devil and surely not simply for procreation either. So where on the spectrum does sex outside of marriage stand with sex within marriage. Oddly enough they can be the same. It has to do with intent, commitment, love and respect. These can all be present inside and outside of marriage. The commitment of marriage perhaps makes it more likely it will be in concert with the Spirit but not guaranteed.
When my kids were growing up they certainly did not want to hear a detailed talk on the birds and bees. (they did get some of it though whether they liked it or not. I can still recall my son moaning " oh God, oh God, oh God!") Be that as it may, I tried to instill in them that sex was in fact a good and glorious thing to be shared by two people but it had to be mutual, respectful and entered into with the seriousness it deserves based on what can happen. It is to be enjoyed but serious.
When I hear people argue that marriage equality will lead to people marrying their dogs and their cars, I wonder if the Spirit is present at all in the marriage they are coming from. I mean, is their spouse a bystander, a means of gratification without respect or mutuality? That would be a marriage between a non-human or inanimate object. There would be no consent, no mutuality, no room for the Spirit in the 'relationship'.
Our sexuality becomes holy when it respects each person, when it shares the essence of who we are freely and lovingly. Sexuality in concert with the Spirit elevates humans, not diminishes them.
In any relationship where intimacy is involved the conservative beliefs in me call for a seriousness, respect and commitment. That doesn't mean you don't have a heck of a fun time. What a joyous gift sex is! It does mean giving freely, sharing mutually and respect that does not demean or cause damage of some kind, mental or physical.
When all our actions involve love, mutuality, respect, elevates people and acts in concert with God's loving design, then the Spirit is present in what we "sow". It makes days and lives holy and beautiful, a joy to behold.
As an unabashed ultra liberal, many people fail to realize that on many issues I am quite conservative. On marriage for example, I have a pretty conservative view. Vows are sacred and to be honoured, lived up to, embraced and enjoyed to the full whether you are gay or straight. At the same time though I know sex have been almost demonized and is full of quirky if not scary taboos.
Our sexuality is one of God's greatest gifts to us, not a distraction of the devil and surely not simply for procreation either. So where on the spectrum does sex outside of marriage stand with sex within marriage. Oddly enough they can be the same. It has to do with intent, commitment, love and respect. These can all be present inside and outside of marriage. The commitment of marriage perhaps makes it more likely it will be in concert with the Spirit but not guaranteed.
When my kids were growing up they certainly did not want to hear a detailed talk on the birds and bees. (they did get some of it though whether they liked it or not. I can still recall my son moaning " oh God, oh God, oh God!") Be that as it may, I tried to instill in them that sex was in fact a good and glorious thing to be shared by two people but it had to be mutual, respectful and entered into with the seriousness it deserves based on what can happen. It is to be enjoyed but serious.
When I hear people argue that marriage equality will lead to people marrying their dogs and their cars, I wonder if the Spirit is present at all in the marriage they are coming from. I mean, is their spouse a bystander, a means of gratification without respect or mutuality? That would be a marriage between a non-human or inanimate object. There would be no consent, no mutuality, no room for the Spirit in the 'relationship'.
Our sexuality becomes holy when it respects each person, when it shares the essence of who we are freely and lovingly. Sexuality in concert with the Spirit elevates humans, not diminishes them.
In any relationship where intimacy is involved the conservative beliefs in me call for a seriousness, respect and commitment. That doesn't mean you don't have a heck of a fun time. What a joyous gift sex is! It does mean giving freely, sharing mutually and respect that does not demean or cause damage of some kind, mental or physical.
When all our actions involve love, mutuality, respect, elevates people and acts in concert with God's loving design, then the Spirit is present in what we "sow". It makes days and lives holy and beautiful, a joy to behold.
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.
My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. For if those who are nothing think they are something, they deceive themselves. All must test their own work; then that work, rather than their neighbour’s work, will become a cause for pride. For all must carry their own loads.
Those who are taught the word must share in all good things with their teacher.
Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment