Grace AND sin are why Christ came (Mark 10:45). Grace AND sin are why He died (Rom. 5:8). Grace AND sin are at the very heart of the gospel message (2 Cor. 5:18–21). The gospel is about BOTH grace and sin, including and perhaps most importantly sexual sin.
Of course, all sin separates us from God, but the Bible says that sexual sin is unique. It has, perhaps, more efficacy in its ability to chain us in bondage (1 Cor. 6:18). But most importantly, marriage and pure sexuality are a picture of Christ’s love for the church. Though this truth rings clearly from Genesis to Revelation, Ephesians 5:31-32 states it most succinctly:
“‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh.’ This is a great mystery, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.”
It is a great lie of the enemy of our souls and of God to believe that the conversation about modesty and purity plays a “minor role” in the fabric of our lives. It is one of the most major themes that exists. If marriage and sexuality are a picture of the greatest spiritual truth there is—that Christ came with grace—then how motivated do you think Satan is to see that picture destroyed in your life? In the lives of your children?
He is motivated.
Maybe you and I should speak more, not less, about the call to modest and pure living, being careful to include the grace-filled stories that compel us to have a voice!
Taken from Dannah Gresh‘s blog post “Does Teaching Purity Contradict God’s Grace?” at truewoman.com. Used with permission.
