Sex Before Marriage?
For years I heard that fornication
meant sex before marriage, until I
studied it out for myself.
In the original Hebrew (Old
Testament) and the original Greek (New
Testament) the word used means 'lewdness', an example was sexual intercourse
between a married man and an unmarried woman:.1Corinthians
6:16,18,20.
In the Old Testament, this
was adultery. Other examples:
Leviticus
21:9.(word
here, 'whore', is the same original used in Ezekiel
16:26 and translated 'fornication'); Ephesians
5:5.
In the New Testament the
word fornication
is used broadly to mean much the same.–.'lewdness'.
In modern religious usage, the word has acquired a meaning more limited
than its signification in the scriptures, mostly today meaning a prostitute.
Some
have thought that the Kingdom Of God is a sexless realm.
Now, since God looks on
the heart (1Samuel 16:7;
Luke
16:15), whatever in your relationship with God that you contemplate
that would be lewdness,
you should not do:.Romans
14:23.
If lewdness to you is superficial
relationships and having sex with a different partner as often you can,
then you should not.
If oral sex, etc. is lewdness
to you (but know this:.the
bed is undefiled: Hebrews 13:4),
then don't.
But do grow in grace and
knowledge, the knowledge in which you can have confidence is correct. Come
to see things from God's perspective:.2Peter
3:18.
If having a marriage certificate
by the state is what makes you feel comfortable before sex, then get one!
If you wish to live common law or in some other arrangement, know that
in all things you should live from the highest and sincerest intentions
from your heart. Some write up an agreement and commit to it. Others
require no such agreement. Have vision and govern your life with
wisdom. Be sure the one you want to be committed to is the
right one for you. Consider where
you
are going in life overall
and just why you want a partner.
Marriage is the only lottery
licensed by the state and supported by the clergy!
Many today do want a committed
relationship. They just want to commit themselves to playing with one another
and then another and then another.
Weddings are a good custom,
if it is of the true feelings of the heart and not a fraud.
It's not a fraud when the relationship is an expression of two souls deeply
interested in merging with each other's soul.
Then a wedding can be the sincerest
heartfelt commitment by both parties, as expressed publicly in celebration
of this fact.
Weddings are a very positive
and hopeful celebration of continued happiness together. Wedding rings
are a courteous expression of this hope and commitment.
A definition of insanity
is:.Doing the
same thing over and over while expecting a different result.
There are those who are sane,
and wonder if the whole world
around them is nuts, and there are those who are 'unsane', seemingly
content with their lot in life and the world they see.
Unsaneness is really being
of the ego level and out of higher
consciousness. Although relevant
to the time of Jesus, it can just as easily be applied to the unsane today:.Luke
21:35.
Their minds are not
yet opened:.Ecclesiastes
3:11 "He has made every thing beautiful in his time. Also he has set
the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God
makes from the beginning to the end."
And then there are those
who are insane. Insanity is unsoundness
of mind rendering a person unfit to maintain a reasonably continuous positive
lifestyle.
Being 'unsane' is being unable
to be open minded because of one's belief programming. It's easy to recognize
individuals who are 'unsane'. They may listen, but inside they are fuming,
almost hating you, and can hardly wait for you to leave their presence.
They have a dismissive attitude toward things they come across that are
out of their realm of negativity. Resentful are they of any seeming
intrusion broaching
their closed door mental state. They are content with how they are and
restrict themselves from approaching things in the world toward improvement.
They remaim engulfed within a selfish world of non-involvement.
Being 'unsane' is being
self-severed from the intelligent energy of the universe, having instead
to rely upon one's limited belief structure. No guidance available from
the
Universal Intelligence we commonly refer to as God is allowed to seep
through to their hearts. That's why God came to earth in the physical form
of Jesus, saying we must be born again:.John
3:6,7; 2Peter
2:10 "But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness,
and despise government.(original
for 'government' is 'dominion'; the same word is also translated 'Lord'
in the New Testament, but means here, they resent
what they regard as encroaching
towards their self centered concerns, their 'lord', and regard ideas
toward helping others as threats to self-governance, where any impressions
on their minds outside of selfish purposes are disregarded; they are characterized
by being dogmatically
impatient of contradiction). Presumptuous
are they, self willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.(original
is 'opinions', in this case, ideas of others not in line with their mind's
limitations).
One should know another
well, before
committing to whatever
type of outward appearance a relationship may take (see 'Mating'),
whether it begins in a little private ceremony, a large wedding ceremony,
or just a sincere prayer for each other after you've decided to live together
with perhaps an agreement (example).
It matters to the Infinite One that you be happy. He is most
concerned
with your spirit:.Hebrews
12:9. The flesh will one day be gone:.Mark
12:25.
But, one should live using
wisdom (Ecclesiastes 7:2) considering
effects of all decisions. I mean venereal disease and aids are scourges
of the day aren't they?
Living carelessly is living
dangerously. Living freely in Christ throws the responsibility upon us
to govern ourselves for our and for others' good to the best of our knowledge,
ability and with the various levels of control and/or lack of control we
all individually decide to exercise over our lives.
Some decisions can obligate
one to severely pay; be it divorce for whatever causes it (perhaps lack
of knowledge on what to look for in another,
how to treat each other, etc.), be it disease, be it incontinence, be it
careless driving and so on.
Some decisions just may not
give a second chance at life or, greatly reduce one's ability to express
in the same way again (disabilities, etc.).
Because it is the age of
grace does not mean, that for you, it has to be the time of abusive and/or
dangerous decisions regarding one's actions. It is the age of God's grace,
not the age of careless attitudes.
Some, with vision can be
patient in waiting for what they want, such as 'the
right one', as they are able to keep busy focused upon the main reason
that they have been called to God in this time:.Philippians
1:27. Others must 'jump in', like.–.'right
now':.1Corinthians
7:6-9. They need to take time to think about what they know and about
what they continue to learn regarding God in order to become steadfast
and
stable:.Colossians
2:5.
In all
things concerning yourself and others, plan to live peaceably:.Romans
14:18.
Questions
-Hebrews
13:4 says God will judge whoremongers. I checked and in the original
the word's root is the same as for fornication and means lewdness.
Paul is saying that the way
of God is not one of lewdness and adultery, both
selfish
things (verse 5).
Realize instead that one
can be content in Christ as all
things good for us are in Him, and because He
is in us one can be content that all things will continue unfolding
in his experience.
And how
will they be judged by the Infinite Intelligence?
-What does."as
is fit in the Lord".mean:.Colossians
3:18?
As would be fitting or proper
for a Christian to adopt as behavior.
Once one is 'saved', he is
as good as being in the physical Kingdom of God, now being in the spiritual
one (the family of Infinite
Ones).
The
job for a Christian now is to become as effective as he or she can
in it.
In this particular verse's
context, it is talking of male/female
intimate relationships.....questions
on 'sex' continues
