Simply put, God has standards. He is holy, unequivocally. And He teaches us what holiness is through His word. That includes sexual purity. This passage makes that clear. And if anyone would quibble that since Christ fulfilled the Law that we don't have to apply it, then I would point out that the commands on sexual impurity continue into the New Testament. Over and over and over again.
This is one of those things that sets us at odds with our culture today. Take the case of the BYU basketball player, suspended for breaking the honor code of the school. He was suspended for breaking the honor code, but part of that code included strictures against having premarital sex. This, really, is the heart of the controversy. Should he be suspended for having premarital sex, which is not a criminal offense (as is often pointed out in the articles and news stories done on this tidbit of "news")? I would contend that yes, he should be, as he agreed to the honor code when he entered BYU, and he should take the consequences of breaking the code he had agreed to abide by. Period. I could go on to vent about how wrong it is that players who have committed criminal acts are allowed to play, but that's not the point of this post, or this passage. Neither is the honor code, and really, neither is the uproar surrounding the suspension. There are many who think it's wrong that a young man should be punished for having sex. In Israel, he would have been. And far more severely punished than being taken from a sports team.
In Deuteronomy, it's clear that the punishment for unlawful sex is to root out evil from Israel. Unlawful sex isn't the only sin to receive such a punishment. It wasn't intended that it should be meted out right and left, either, but that it would discourage people from treating sex lightly and cheaply. Sex is not just a primal urge; it's not something fun to do on a Saturday night. It was created by God to bring together and bond a man and woman for life. It's not meant to be treated like a toy. God's standard for sex is that it be enjoyed within the confines of marriage; to be enjoyed, and not abused.
I don't think our culture today agrees with that. Not when there are novels and movies that consider affairs to be romantic, where "love" is more important that commitment and purity (though I would say fulfillment is really what many of these stories are about). Not when there are tv shows strictly about sex and the "crazy, funny" situations you can find yourself in when in its pursuit. I realize, I'm standing on the opposite side of a line. But I gladly stand here. I'll stick with my God and His high standards.
By the way, I don't really want this blog to be about national news stories, but I will say I appreciated this article that upheld a stance for convictions. If you like, check it out:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/mar/7/a-national-champion-in-deed/
Tomorrow's Reading: Deuteronomy 23:15-25:19
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