Today, thoughts are shared on Christian belief, sacred practice, and human sexuality. Popular culture now seeks to legitimate and normalize as civil rights many behaviors and patterns of association long thought to be destructive of family and the home as life-giving institutions. It remains, fruitful and productive relationships that can produce a holy seed acceptable to GOD are characterized by accountability, commitment, fidelity, mutuality, restraint, stability, and trust. The “holiness” that may describe a marriage union appears only through the presence and working of the imparted, indwelling Spirit from GOD through Jesus Christ. For those who come into the world as infants who have no standing as “offspring of GOD,” to become sons and daughters of the Most High and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, they must become born again and receive adoption through the Holy Spirit. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers (Malaysia)” using the ID “?” (Level 1 with 177 points, a member since May 06, 2014) posted the following:
Your thoughts on people who call themselves Christian yet still cohabitate with a lover?
Update: Shouldn't someone who says they believe in God try to follow what the Bible says instead of purposefully sinning?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. (1st Corinthians 7: 27-35, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: In Her father’s House? (02/08/2017); Why Is Lust Condemned? (07/20/2016); Flesh Against the Spirit? (06/19/2016); Gender, Sex and Christian Beliefs? (05/18/2016); The Wife of Your Youth? (12/22/2015); Strong Families? (11/10/2015); Scandal and Sin Among Believers? (06/05/2015)
“?”, we have to be careful attempting to judge others. Becoming spiritually mature as one “born again” through Jesus Christ may take many years, and requires “growing up again” by acquiring sacred knowledge, continuing sacred practices (we say, sacraments), participating in fellowship with mature believers as well as performing unselfish service to GOD. Similarly, humans on the earth must become sexually mature, however, more than age and physical development are involved. All who are born as the offspring of Adam inherit a longing for meaningful companionship and sexual appetite that, like hunger or thirst, operates in terms of carnal reason, sensation (e.g., hearing, feeling hot and cold, seeing, touching), and laws that may regulate only an animal nature or mechanical processes. Just as one should not drink or eat anything and everything they may see, sexual expression should not be with anybody and everybody, doing anything and everything. Balance, discernment, discipline, good judgment, and restraint must be acquired to safely engage in healthy sexual activity. Sexual joining occurs on multiple levels and is—all at the same time—emotional, mental, physical, psychological, and spiritual. Intimate relationships intended to provide sexual satisfaction always are complex, and must include continuous communication, exchange, and interaction that present subtleties (barely visible differences; hidden shifts in meaning and value). Genuine mutual trust must be in place instead of betrayal, deceit, and lies that characterize immaturity, infatuation, and “puppy love.” Fornication is the defilement of ones inborn spirit content from parents, and the spiritual confusion that results by joining oneself to a person physically present and their previous sexual partners who are not physically present. The primary relationship provided by divinity for freely expressing ones body, mind, and Spirit demonstrates exclusive devotion and fidelity toward GOD—holy matrimony. Pre-, extra- and multiple-marital relationships (e.g., polyandry and polygamy) do not allow the most godly and lasting expressions of love. Thus, the counsel from GOD to sinners who choose to follow Jesus Christ include the following:
(1.) Galatians 5: 16-17, King James Version (KJV): 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
(2.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
(3.) Malachi 2: 13-16, KJV: 13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand. 14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. 15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. 16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) 1st Timothy 4: 1-3, KJV: 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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