Is Sex Before Marriage All Right for Christians?

“But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints” –Ephesians 5:3

The short answer is no!  Let me be clear, I am talking about a relationship between a man and a woman.  While sex is an expression of love, a gift from our Creator, a pleasure for men and women to enjoy, and it also should be combined with deep commitment. That is one reason why the Bible tells us that the sexual relationship is to be confined to marriage.  God has been very clear on this, and I strongly urge you to reconsider any position that allows for sex outside of marriage.  Your heart is deceptive and you can easily justify doing something that is wrong.  And in this case you will later regret.

Ephesians 5:3, a command is given against any sex outside the bounds and commitment to marriage.  The principles that are found in Ephesians 5:3, is given for our own good on multiple levels- physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. God’s commands on sex within a committed marriage are intended to preserve/protect the family. The family is the basic essential unit of any society! In addition to our protection, Exodus 20:14 reminds us that sex out side of marriage is adultery.

For those who have not committed this sin, pray that you stay pure for your mate.  And for those who have broken this command understand there is forgiveness for you if you seek it.  Pray for healing, seek God’s grace, and love yourself enough to stop.   Remember 1 Corinthians 6:18,  “Run from sexual immorality! “Every sin a person can commit is outside the body.” On the contrary, the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body.”

Book Review: Strangers Next Door - Immigration, Migration, and Mission

Dr. Payne has delivered and eye-opening look at the issue of international immigration, the shifting of the church to the majority world though successful mission work overseas, and how that effects mission at home now.  The United States receives the most international immigrates each year by far!  With the United States receiving 20% of the international immigration each year, this book points out the need to be intentional in meeting migrant people who have moved in down the street.  They may look different, sound different, and even think different than many of our churches do, but the reality is we have a charges to reach the ends of the earth with the gospel all while never leaving the United States.

We sometimes forget that William Carry, the father of modern missions, and the missionaries that followed him God blessed and gave their faithfulness some success.  We have now reached a point where countries like China and Africa are sending missionaries out all over the world!

The real life stories of reaching Nepal via Baltimore, with Nepal considered among the world’s least reach peoples and they are living in Baltimore, Maryland.  We need a vision to see migration and the Great Commission and this book sheds light on this subject. The issues covered in this book blurs the line between domestic and international missions.

Strengths of the book:

The author shines a light on the reality of international immigrants in our neighborhoods and their need for the gospel.

And then being able to reach a part of the world that international immigrants are still maintaining connation with.

We have a HUGE opportunity to reach the international students who are most likely from a country with a high number of unreached people groups!