And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. 1 Cor. 6:14-18
Holy and loving Jesus, so many thoughts are swirling through my head this morning. I’ve never been more aware of the pervasiveness of sexual brokenness, everywhere I go and everywhere I look, including in the mirror. It’s like we’re living in Corinth of Paul’s day—a city marked and marred by misplaced passion and broken sexuality. So many of us carry the wounds, feel the shame, and know the disconnect that comes from of sexual sin. And yet the gospel dares us to hope.
Indeed, hope—that’s the greater instinct and impulse of my heart this morning. As I ponder what Paul was saying to the Corinthians, I’m left speechless—overwhelmed at the beauty of what belonging to you really means, Lord Jesus. Enable our hearts to accept and enjoy that you truly desire us—Bridegroom to bride, Lover to beloved. By your Spirit, help our unbelieving hearts experience the wonder of being known by you in the most intimate of all ways. Dare I say it, Lord Jesus? Whatever the “best sex” is between a husband and wife, it’s only a hint and a whisper of the relationship you intend us to share with you.
Why should we flee all forms of sexual immorality? Simply because it’s what we’re supposed to do as Christians? Only because it’s “the rules”? Out of fear of disease and judgment? Those things will never be enough to keep us from acting out in selfish and destructive ways. We will flee sexual immorality to the extent we see you fleeing to us in the gospel. Only your love is better than life, Jesus. Though our world mocks such a notion; though our own hearts doubt this truth, and at, times, consider it spiritualized folly, it is true. Only your love is better than life. Our hearts will be restless and our choices destructive until we rest in your love… now and later.
Lord Jesus, you have died for us—bridegroom for his bride. We’re already “joined to you” and have become one with you in spirit. Whatever the future and fulfillment of sexuality is, it belongs to you. How we long for your return and our utter transformation. Until then, help us flee all forms of sexual immorality by fleeing to you, our great and gracious bridegroom. In our marriages and in our singleness, in our brokenness and on our healing journey, be glorified, Lord Jesus. So very Amen we pray, in your kind and redeeming name.
