The Editor’s Desk by Shawn McMullen

The Bible and our culture hold drastically different positions on human sexuality. Our culture accepts premarital and extramarital sexual relationships as the norm. The Bible teaches these relationships violate God’s standards. Our culture embraces homosexual behavior and chastises those who believe differently. The Bible teaches such behavior is unnatural and sinful. Our culture views pornography as a matter of personal choice. Even many who consider it degrading to its victims defend the right of others to indulge in it. The Bible condemns such impurity.

In the face of mounting cultural pressure to condone sexual immorality in its many forms, why are so many Christians and churches holding their ground, refusing to say it’s OK? I believe it’s because these good folks know more than most people credit them with knowing. They know God, and they willingly defer to his plan for human sexuality.

He created us. God created us in his image, male and female (Genesis 1:27). His original design for his creation is that one male unite with one female for life, becoming one flesh (2:24). The Bible gives us one account of creation and one relationship design for the man and woman God created.

Jesus confirmed this in the Gospels: “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Mark 10:6-9).

Anything that alters our Creator’s original intent for his creation—including sexual relationships outside the marriage covenant, homosexuality, and pornography—disregards the will of God.

He knows us. As the one who knit us together in the womb (Psalm 139:13), God alone has perfect knowledge of our bodies. He knows how we have been designed to function and for what purposes. He understands our emotions. He knows what strengthens our bodies and minds, and what destroys them. His original design for man and woman leads to health and harmony and protects us from harm.

He loves us. God cares deeply for his creation and always has our best interests at heart. Every guideline, every prohibition is for our good. As John wrote, “his commands are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).

He judges us. Although he’s extremely patient with us, one day he will hold us accountable for how we’ve lived. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). People can rail against him in this life and do with their bodies what they please, but one day they will stand before him in judgment. If they have accepted his Son and lived faithfully in his grace, they will be ushered into a glorious Heaven. If they have chosen to live in rebellion to God, they will be condemned to a dreadful Hell.

In the debate about human sexuality, the Christians and churches who hold their biblical ground are the wisest of all. They know we have only one viable option, and that’s to follow God’s plan.