Category Archives: 2 Corinthians

Is sex before marriage a sin?

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I was asked this question via a FaceBook chat.  I anticipated after my answer they would sign-off with a quick “thanks” or try to justify why my answer did not apply.  I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out they were sincerely desiring to know what God had to say about the issue and were willing to follow His instructions.  Here is what I told them.

The Bible is very clear on that issue.  In fact, it is probably one of the most clearly answered questions in all of Scripture.  Typically “fornication” is the term used to refer to sex before marriage whereas “adultery” refers to sex after marriage with anyone other than your spouse.  The Greek word the King James Version translates “fornication” actually includes many forms of sexual immorality (incest, prostitution, harlotry, etc) and so is often simply translated “sexual immorality”, so as not to limit its meaning to fornication.  The Bible is clear that sex before marriage, and all sexual immorality, is a sin and warns of harsh penalties for those involved in it.

Here are just a few Scriptures – and there are many, many more – that address the issue:
(Acts 15:20; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9, 13, 18; 10:8; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Jude 7; Revelation 21:8).

The Bible teaches self-control and complete abstinence before marriage and a one-man, one-woman relationship after marriage both physically and in the area of the thought life.

Staying the Course Is Best

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Hebrews 12:1
…”run with perseverance the race marked out for us”
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The Lord has marked out a course for each of us. This passage speaks of the need for “perseverance” indicating that sometimes the course may be grueling. It will not always be an easy road but I can be sure that it is far better to stay on God’s path, no matter how difficult, than to leave His path and begin to blaze my own trail through the briers and brambles.

Proverbs 13:15
The way of the transgressor (the one who veers off the course and begins to blaze his own trail and create his own path) is hard.”

As tough as my course may get, I can be assured that it is still a more joy filled path than any of my own making.

During the grueling times of the race I must do what Jesus did when faced with a torturous part of His race. He did not focus on the pain (the cross) but looked beyond it to the joy on the other side.

Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

By keeping my eyes fixed on eternity – the joy and reward awaiting me for a race well run – I can find the hope, strength, courage and endurance to continue running.

The road may get rough but stay on the path, stay the course and look beyond “the wall” to the joy awaiting you at the finish line.
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2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.

Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Don’t Get Burned

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2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
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You’ve seen the sad scene repeated on the evening news. A broken person interviewed in front of the charred remains of their home. They are grateful to be alive but they lost everything! Their entire life lies in smoldering ruins behind them.

It may come as a surprise to many Christians that they will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and the Bible says some will find their life work consumed and destroyed by fire.

“But I thought all my sins were forgiven!”. They are. The judgment seat of Christ is not a matter of being judged for sin, like in a court of law, but rather, a judging for reward, more like the judging of an art exhibit. Reward will be handed out based upon what we did with what God gave us – talent, resources, opportunities, abilities, skills.

According to 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, our works will be subjected to fire which will destroy all the works of the flesh leaving only what we did of eternal value – those treasures we stored in heaven. Some will lose everything yet they “will be saved” because of their faith in Christ.

This awareness caused Paul to live deliberately rather than casually (1 Corinthians 9:25-27). It created a sense of urgency in his ministry and message. A wise person, aware of the coming flames, will store treasure where it is safe.

Lord, it is so easy to be distracted by the “stuff” of this world – accumulating it, maintaining it, upgrading it, protecting it, replacing it, etc. I want to be wise enough to live for eternity, living for THAT day not this day. Father, when the fire is applied to my life I want to have something left to present to You.
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1 Corinthians 3:12-15
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

I am awesome!

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Philippians 1:15-18
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, … 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, … 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
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I used to wonder how you could “preach Christ out of selfish ambition”, “out of envy and rivalry”, with “false motives”. Going into ministry is not usually thought of as a road to fame and fortune. But the longer I’ve been at this pastoring thing the more I’ve seen a subtle temptation.

When you have been blessed, like I have, to pastor wonderful and gracious people they frequently encourage you, tell you how much God has used you to help them and generously express their love and appreciation. It is tempting to begin to look for those strokes, live for them and long for them. Suddenly you are ministering to meet a need in you instead of allowing God to meet the needs of others through you – selfish ambition and soon envy and rivalry. Slowly you can even begin to believe you are as wonderful as people say you are.

The Holy Spirit, through Paul, was glad the gospel was being preached even if the motives were impure so I will be too BUT, I certainly don’t want to be one of those doing it with wrong motives. I want to be sharing Christ “out of love” for God and others. I am often, very often, reminded of a little story, can’t vouch for how true it is, that has helped me in this area.

When Woodrow Wilson was elected President of the United States, a close friend came to him with these words, “Woody, now that you have been elected President, you are going to have lots of people around you telling you what a great man you are. Just remember, you and I know better.”

While I am grateful for sweet folks who will share how God has used me to bless them and I am always greatly encouraged when I hear such a report, if something inside starts believing “I am awesome!” I remind myself, “God and I (and my wife) know better.”.

Stay humble. Stay sweet. Stay useable.
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2 Corinthians 2:17
Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.