The women’s fashion and lifestyle magazine in my mechanic’s office flaunted numerous articles about sex. One story, meant to be especially titillating, recounted the exploits of men who made love to multiple partners at once. The article left me sad. These hollow thrill seekers are not just looking for love in all the wrong places, they’re looking for love in too many places.
The best sex is exclusive. The oneness between a husband and wife—“two are united into one” (Genesis 2:18,24)—is a reflection of the ultimate spiritual oneness shared by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is a self- giving community of love: Three in One who exist in a perfect relationship. Theologians base our understanding of the mutual indwelling of the Trinity on Jesus’ words: “You are in Me, Father, and I am in You” (John 17:21). When we become one with another body, we reflect the God who made us in His image as male and female (Genesis 1:27).
Some popular love songs seem to get it right. Sex can be “almost paradise.” It is “knocking on heaven’s door,” because the companionship and intimacy of marriage echo the love of our triune God. This is why Proverbs instructs married couples to “reserve [sex] for yourselves. Never share it with strangers” (Proverbs 5:17).
When we selfishly use another person for our own physical pleasure—stealing from their body rather than owning and being owned by them—the true joy of sex (that only comes through giving ourselves completely to the one person who has given him or herself to us) is lost.
Any animal can mate. Only humans can know the bliss of being loved by one other—of being naked and vulnerable and still embraced. And that is simply divine.
More:
• Malachi 2:14-15
• Matthew 19:4-6
• Hebrews 13:4
Next:
In light of this theology of sex, how does this help you understand why God hates divorce and any sex that occurs outside the covenant of marriage? Whether you’re single or married, how can you glorify God in the way you live out your sexuality?
Invisible on October 7, 2010 at 7:16 am
I had to look twice at the title of todays post.
Obviously it was a misconception but I always
thought that sex was like a taboo topic to most believers. Like it was a sin just to talk about it. I knew that there was talk about adultry and such but not the “good” side of the topic.
I’m glad it’s not.
Under the little column titled “next”, this question is asked… “Whether you’re single or married, how can you glorify God in the way you live out your sexuality?”
This may seem stupid but it’s an entirely new concept to me to even consider that God has any thoughts about sex. It just doesn’t seem like a topic that God would involve himself in.
If you’re married then it would make sense that the way you would “glorify God” in living out your sexuality would be by not commiting adultery, since that is one of the ten commandments. If you are single how could you glorify God living out your sexuality? Wouldn’t he consider that sin? Fornication?
Invisible on October 7, 2010 at 8:42 am
@ Jimbo
Yea, thank you, I was thinking about it after walking away and realized I was concentrating to much on the “Live out” your sexuality part as in being sexually active. Abstinancy came to mind but unfortunately there was no delete button to get rid of the post. Sorry, it was a dumb question. New concepts, just taking a while to absorb them.
Invisible on October 7, 2010 at 8:49 am
“Abstinence”, I don’t think abstinency is a word, but I think it should be 🙂
mike wittmer on October 7, 2010 at 10:09 am
Invisible:
Thanks for your comments and questions–I think that you are right that we seldom link God with sex. A big lie in our world is that God is opposed to sex. But if you think about it, sex was his idea in the first place! And there is even an entire book of the Bible devoted to it (Song of Solomon).
Ironically, it is the world that cheapens the thrill of sex by encouraging us to indulge in unbridled lust with indiscriminate partners. It is the faithful spouses–not Lady Gaga–who have the best sex!
Invisible on October 7, 2010 at 10:55 am
@ Mike Wittmer,
That is so weird. You must have been watching the MTV Music Awards as well. Second time in like two weeks I’ve seen Lady Gaga brought up. Someone on another christian website mentioned her.
“Ironically, it is the world that cheapens the thrill of sex by encouraging us to indulge in unbridled lust with indiscriminate partners.”
I guess I never thought of it that way.
lizzie on October 7, 2010 at 4:52 pm
A very good topic for the times. The world tend to water down the sin and seriousnes of sex outside marriage. hope this gets many thinking and help them to make smart choices.
Thank you ODJ
daisymarygoldr on October 7, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Important topic and good teaching!
Marital intimacy is not merely “two flesh becoming one” or “four bare legs in a bed,” as C.S. Lewis said. It is a covenant which also has a triune characteristic and consists of three core components. It involves the man and woman becoming one first spiritually, then emotionally and finally to being one physically!
Spiritual intimacy is when a husband and wife spend time praying and reading scripture together and sharing Godly insights with each other. Emotional Intimacy is to fulfill a husband’s need to feel respected and a wife’s desire to be loved and cared for.
However, the deepest desire for a couple to become “one” can only be consummated when we become one with God. Then and only then a marital union experiences an ecstasy that cannot be expressed and eventually enjoys an ultimate fulfillment of the desire to love and be loved with an utter abandonment!
For further understanding you may read “Killing me softly” by David Roper- Pastor’s Blog.
Lest those of us who are singles or are sick and feel left out, it is an encouragement to know that human sexuality is simply a shadow of something that is far greater and more glorious. Song of Songs is filled with imagery about the love between God and His people. The marital union of Christ with His Church is the real deal!
Born again believers in this covenant commitment also experience a foretaste of divine oneness of spirit, soul and body with Christ and with one another. By selflessly submitting to one another in love, both individually and corporately we do enjoy an intimacy that far transcends the passing joys of marital intimacy!
Pepaqua on October 24, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Great article, there needs to be more like it! 🙂
AManofGod on November 3, 2010 at 11:44 am
This is a great topic and I wish more newly married couples were instructed on the Godly role of sex in a marriage. I can honestly say that sexual dysfunction played a role in the collapse of my marriage. If only Godly counsel for young couples were available at that time! I encourage all young couples even contemplating marriage to seek a pastor who can guide them in the way God wants sex to be a part of their married lives.