HOOK UP CULTURE AND THE CHRISTIAN

“Now flee from youthful lusts…” 

(2 Timothy 2:22, NASB).

“Flee from sexual immorality…” 

(1 Cor. 6:18, ESV).

Can a man take fire in his bosom And his clothes not be burned?
(Prov. 6:27, NASB).

In today’s culture hardly anyone anymore bats an eye at sexual immorality such as adultery, fornication, or homosexuality. Many people’s conscience is deadened to such sins. It is no longer a big deal to a lot of people. Sadder still is the fact that “Hook-up culture” is not only thriving, but such sexual vices are approved of (or celebrated) as well (see Rom. 1:32). However, what you never hear talked about from this sub-culture of vice are the consequences associated with such sinful practices. So what are these consequences? (1.) The danger of contracting an STD or the HIV virus that causes AIDS and passing it on to others; (2.) Then there is pregnancy out of wedlock; (3.) Then there is the “comparison of one’s current lover to the last sexual partner” game that never seems to end well; (4.) Addiction to sexual sin. (5.) Multiple sexual partners makes sexual intimacy and bonding with a life’s partner much more difficult; (6.) Contributes to marital unfaithfulness. (7.) Men are less likely to respect or want to marry women who are promiscuous. (8.) Need I say that sexual immorality is sin before God (see 1 Cor. 6:18). This is why Paul warned Timothy to "flee from youthful lusts" (2 Tim. 2:22); and again, The Apostle warns the Church at Corinth to "flee from sexual immorality" (1 Cor. 6:18). Dear friend and fellow Christian, are you struggling with youthful lusts, are you tempted by what Hook-up Culture has to offer? Remember, the consequences I listed earlier. Take heart, the Lord knows all about your struggles and is able to deliver you from them. "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." (1 Cor. 10:13, ESV).

Lord, this world takes such wonderful gifts as sex and corrupts it into something you never intended to be. I’m sure this world that practices sexual immorality grieves your heart, and so it should. Dear Lord, it’s not just the act of sexual immorality that displeases you, it is the very thought of it that took root in the human heart that began the downward fall into sexual sin. O God, search our hearts and see if there be any impure sexual thoughts and forgive us of such sins, and wash us of all such sexually sinful thoughts in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

CAN GOD FORGIVE SINS APART FROM HIS SACRIFICE?

"And without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

(Hebrews 9:22, NASB)

A friend had recently challenged me with this question: “Since Jesus is God, why can’t He just forgive us of our sins without the need to die for our sins on the Cross? Since He is God, this shouldn’t be a problem for Him. His dying on the Cross was unnecessary to forgive us of our sins. So why bother?” Great question. First, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (see Heb. 9:22). Second, because sin had brought death to man, another had to die in man’s place, one without sin in order to redeem man back to God. Since sin brought death to man, a Man was required to bring death to sin, so that man may have the opportunity to have life once again (see Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1, 5; 1:7). Third, also His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts (see Isa. 55:8). God doesn't need our permission to run the universe, nor does He do things the way we want Him to. He is God, we are not. So can sinners be forgiven apart from Jesus' sacrifice? No! Why? Because "without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" for our sins. (see text).

Dear Lord, how thankful We are that forgiveness is found in Christ. Nothing can wash away our sin, except the blood of Jesus. O how precious is His blood to His redeemed children! There are those who believe your death, burial, and resurrection was unnecessary. However, your children who have been forgiven know better. We know how wonderful it is to drop our burden of sin and guilt at the foot of the Cross and by faith found forgiveness in the Lord Jesus Christ. O bless His Holy Name! Amen.