I listened intently as my pastor shared from Ephesians 5:1-6 this weekend. Thank you Pastor John! Here’s what I caught and contemplated:

Immorality, impurity are set against the perfect plan of God.  It includes anything sexually that is not Gods’s design as part of marriage as described in Genesis.  Hebrews 13:4 further clarifies there is the marriage bed which is to be honored and then everything else which is to be judged.  Notice the word “greed” is present with the first two words.  It means to desire after something which is not yours.  Sexually speaking, anything other than marriage was not given to us, marriage was.  

Let me interject that sadly, I spent my early years not knowing this and then having a hard time believing it once I heard it.  After enough damage was done I finally saw God’s best was His design for marriage. 

This is a tough passage in this day an age when the media presses us that when we disagree, hate must be present.  Some will read this and make a quick decision to quit reading and place a label on me of bigot, homophobe, or hater on me. I encourage you to read on. 

The sin mentioned above is like all other sin, in that,  satan has given us a plethora of counterfeit options that look better than God’s design and make grand promises of comfort, peace, and freedom when in reality they leave us feeling abandoned, ashamed and in bondage.  

The difference with sexual sin that it is connected with the most powerful intimacy available on the planet.  It is not only an amazing physical experience but a spiritual one.  Our sexual relationship with our wives or husbands is to reflect the spiritual relationship God has with us.  It is not to be one of self-centered lust and greed, but one of God-centered love and grace. 

So what is one of our brothers or sisters who struggles with same sex attraction supposed to do given this information and what should our response be? They same as all of us when we are outside the design of God. They are to look to Him and His design, and obey.  Our response should be to love everyone as you love yourself.   Not look down, not shame, love.  Given the number of negative sexual encounters that happen in this society, we should not be shocked in the place we find ourselves.  

Personal Reflection

What areas of your life are not in obedience to God?  Are you fighting to obey in those areas regardless of how strong they are and how your peer group/culture feels about them?   God loved us beyond our obedience. Are you doing the same with those around you or are you conditionally loving based on their performance?   Read Romans 5:8 and take time today meditating on Gods loves for you.  Pray specifically for those in for life that are hard for you to love. 

Prayer Focus

Heavenly Father, we desire to obey you in our spirit, yet our flesh is weak.  Help us to be honest with ourselves and to see any area of our life that needs to come in line with your design; especially those that are sexual in nature.    Let love bring us to a place of obedience to bring you honor and glory.  Teach us to love those around us wherever they may be at right now with you. In Jesus Name, Amen!

#Godsdesignformarriage #GodsBest #truthtalk4life

@brianfriedl