BY CHIP
INGRAM , CP CONTRIBUTOR
One
year for Christmas, I gave bikes to my little twin boys. For months I saved
money so that I could bless them with these gifts. After they unwrapped the
presents on Christmas morning, I took them outside so they could learn how to
ride for the first time. They were so excited!And
then … I did the "unthinkable." I made some rules.
Rule
#1: They were only allowed to ride their bikes around a small area of the
apartment complex. Rule #2: Under no circumstances were they allowed to ride
down the stairs.
My
rationale for the first rule was because the apartment complex we lived in at
the time was located in a dangerous neighborhood and it was about 100 yards away
from a four-lane highway. As for the other rule, I think it's pretty obvious why
that wouldn't be such a good idea!
Most
people would agree that by making some rules I wasn't trying to be cruel or a
killjoy to my little boys. I did it because I love them!
The
truth is every gift that flows out of love almost always has some rules and
parameters that are set around it.
This
is also true with the gifts of love and sex that are given to us by our loving,
heavenly Father. In Ephesians 5, we're given some rules about how to enjoy these
gifts:
Follow
God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love,
just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual
immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper
for God's holy people. (Eph. 5:1-3)
To
walk in love means to give, care and share with others and follow Christ's
example. It also means not living a sexually immoral lifestyle. This includes
homosexual behavior, living with your partner outside of marriage, and engaging
in any behavior that causes someone to desire you sexually that is outside the
bounds of marriage.
Ever
wondered, why all the rules? And why does sex matter so much to God,
anyway?
Because
He loves us! And as a good Father, He wants His cherished sons and daughters to
have the best when it comes to love, sex and relationships. God knows that sex
outside of marriage is second-rate sex – it's sex with guilt and shame attached
and some pretty devastating consequences.
Even
if someone doesn't believe in God's Word or follow His rules, it is undeniable
that there are certain spiritual, physical and emotional price tags that go
along with sex outside of marriage.
According
to the researches at UCLA, couples who cohabitate before marriage have a 50%
higher rate of divorce than those who do not. They are also more likely to
experience infidelity in marriage. Studies have also found that the introduction
of sex into a dating relationship almost always ushers in the breakup of the
relationship.
This
is why our heavenly Father says, "Keep the fire of sex in the fireplace of
marriage. If you take it out and put it on the living room floor, it will burn
the house down."
Contrary
to how we might feel, God isn't "withholding" sex from those of us who aren't
married. Rather, His desire is for each of us to experience deep, intimate love,
lasting relationships, and passionate sex. The purpose of His rules is to
maximize our relationships and pleasure in the long run.
Real,
loving relationships demand sexual purity. People that only want a one-night
stand don't need purity because their behavior is about self-worship and not
about truly loving another person. If we want a loving and lasting relationship,
then sexual purity is a must.
Chip
Ingram is the senior pastor of Venture Christian Church in Los Gatos,
California, and teaching pastor and CEO of Living on the Edge, an international
teaching and discipleship ministry. A pastor for over thirty years, Chip has a
unique ability to communicate truth and challenge people to live out their
faith. He's the former president of Walk Thru the Bible, and the author of many
books, including The Real Heaven. For more information on Chip,
visit www.livingontheedge.org.
Read
more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/sex-marriage-why-does-god-have-rules-157944/#ef4fcbOhtUssAQ2E.99
