Make every effort....

Ever since studying the James Dobson series; "Why Wait" regarding the reasoning to wait until marriage before having sexual relations, I have identified my explanation regarding sexual purity to my children and the boys and girls they are getting intimate with as "Bill's/Dad's Talk".

The talk is based upon the greatest commandment; "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.". Matthew 22

I say that the utmost expression of love for your girlfriend/boyfriend (neighbor) is abstenance. How else can people who are growing into an intimate relationship show their respect and care for each other than to leave sex out of the equation and grow to know each other? I believe that when either of the people in the relationship seek sexual relations without total trust, commitment and sacrifice for each other in lawful marriage, that to take that special gift (virginity) from someone, which is reserved for their spouse, is a violation of the greatest commandment; 'Love your neighbor as yourself'.

I always say that the desire for sexual relations in the boys/men is normal and that the desire for intimacy and understanding is natural in girls/women. But, it is clear to me that the dignity and honor; love for each other in dating couples, has been obscured by the world. Most kids think that sex is the ultimate expression of love. I contend it is the ultimate expression of selfishness and non-love for your 'neighbor'.

The contention in Dobson's series was that sexual intimacy contains the ultimate in spiritual, physiological, and phsycological stimulus and memory. When a couple experiences that level of stimulus, the memory of that encounter is etched into the brain in a very special and continuously remembered location. It is the ultimate experience and the two are 'joined together as one flesh' forever. There is a reference in 1 Corinthians 6:13 that is applicable here as well; "b. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." 17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

1 Thessalonians 4

Living to Please God "1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit."

I know this was alot to digest, I got going and could not stop.

JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION AND GIVE YOUR THOUGHTS!!! COME ON!