Culture’s messages about sex make me squirm and feel exposed. I mistakenly expected that from a sermon about sex as well; yet, God used the gospel in Sunday’s sermon to light up those cultural messages and turn them to sweet, lingering thoughts about Christ!

1. Culture says: Sex defines me as a person.

God says: My identity is Christ. “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:3-4

Implications: Sex is important to who I am. It is about oneness with another person, and also about oneness with Christ. His Holy Spirit indwells the body that God made for me with its sexual drives and desires. My union with Christ means that He’s there for every physical act my body participates in. The imperative is to “… glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20

2. Culture says: I am free to do whatever, whenever, with whomever I want. It feels good, so I should do it now.

God says: Use the freedom I’ve given you to love and serve others rather than to sin. (Galatians 5:13-15)

Implications: Not everything I could do, would be good to do. As Paul says, “’All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful … I will not be dominated by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12) I have to ask myself, “If I indulge in this sexual freedom, will it benefit or damage me, my relationships, my intimacy with Christ?” Doing what feels good aims the compass at self-gratification, but the truth of God’s Word will always point us toward and equip us for righteous love.

3. Culture says: Use sex to get what you want and then move on.

God says: A man should have one wife, and a wife, one husband. Jesus is the groom to one bride, His church.

Implications: Sex is about giving, not getting. We’ve been given full, intimate access to God and oneness with Him through Christ. That compels us, then, to sacrificially give our selves intimately and completely in sex. Jesus gives us the pattern for the sacrifice required to do this.

4. Culture says: Sex is for pleasure and escape from pain.

God says: “…Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27) “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” (Revelation 19:9)

Implications: The ecstasy we enjoy and long for in sex points us to our future hope, the glory of Christ himself. The “goo-goo” eyes of young lovers that see perfection in the one they love are the eyes of Christ toward His bride. He is the fulfillment of all we seek in sexual experiences.

Here are a few other things our culture says about sex:

• We weren’t made for monogamy

• When you get old, you’ll be past your sexual prime

• True love = hot sex

• Emotional commitment kills sex

What does God’s word have to say about these things? What can adjusting the focus of each one to the gospel show us about Christ?

May you be blessed with sweet, lingering thoughts of Christ.

~Erin Butzin