[This is a post that's been simmering on the back burner for some time. I'm revisiting it having been inspired by our new Sunday school series on applying the gospel in a fallen world.]
I listened to Voddie Baucham's talk from the 2012 Shepherd's conference and heard the most beautiful and compelling argument for purity I have ever heard. (Audio here, video here - start listening around 24:00.) He does a little pretend dialogue with his son regarding abstinence and the one flesh union solely within the bounds of marriage. Baucham then says, "It is awesome because this is a picture of Christ and His bride, the church, and you should no more illegitimately unite yourself physically with a woman outside of marriage than Christ should unite Himself with one who is not His own."
Why is this so powerful?
It's not a "carrot and stick" approach - obey the rules and God will bless you, disobey and you'll be stricken with a loathsome disease and/or divorce. It's not a self-centered promise of delayed gratification - "It's better if you wait." It's not relying on an external motivator such as a ring or signing a pledge. It's powerful because it's got the gospel all over it.
Think about it.
We were once dead in our sins, alienated from and haters of God. He has brought us near by the blood of the cross. As Paul writes, "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Cor. 6:19-20)." We belong to God and have been restored to our original purpose which is to glorify Him. We no longer have to fulfill the lusts of the flesh because the grace of God is active in our lives "training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age" (Titus 2:12). Even if we struggle and have sinned in this area, this same gospel offers the hope of forgiveness and restoration with a Holy God because Jesus died for those very sins we committed. Our understanding of sex and marriage is no longer about self gratification but a picture of Christ and His bride, of which He has made us a part. We want to obey Him because we love Him.
Isn't this good news?
I listened to Voddie Baucham's talk from the 2012 Shepherd's conference and heard the most beautiful and compelling argument for purity I have ever heard. (Audio here, video here - start listening around 24:00.) He does a little pretend dialogue with his son regarding abstinence and the one flesh union solely within the bounds of marriage. Baucham then says, "It is awesome because this is a picture of Christ and His bride, the church, and you should no more illegitimately unite yourself physically with a woman outside of marriage than Christ should unite Himself with one who is not His own."
Why is this so powerful?
It's not a "carrot and stick" approach - obey the rules and God will bless you, disobey and you'll be stricken with a loathsome disease and/or divorce. It's not a self-centered promise of delayed gratification - "It's better if you wait." It's not relying on an external motivator such as a ring or signing a pledge. It's powerful because it's got the gospel all over it.
Think about it.
We were once dead in our sins, alienated from and haters of God. He has brought us near by the blood of the cross. As Paul writes, "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body (1 Cor. 6:19-20)." We belong to God and have been restored to our original purpose which is to glorify Him. We no longer have to fulfill the lusts of the flesh because the grace of God is active in our lives "training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age" (Titus 2:12). Even if we struggle and have sinned in this area, this same gospel offers the hope of forgiveness and restoration with a Holy God because Jesus died for those very sins we committed. Our understanding of sex and marriage is no longer about self gratification but a picture of Christ and His bride, of which He has made us a part. We want to obey Him because we love Him.
Isn't this good news?
Wonderful, glorious news indeed!
ReplyDeleteSuperb post, Persis. I love Voddie Baucham's work - I'll have to find and listen to this talk you referred to. Sounds excellent.
ReplyDeleteBTW, couldn't help but notice that you're reading Jerome K. Jerome... whatcha think so far? :)
I think you'll like VB's talk.
DeleteThree Men in a a Boat is hilarious. I keep rereading certain bits because it's so funny. I downloaded a free audio version from Librivox that is rather good. The only drawback is some of the readers aren't British. Books like these need to be read with a proper accent. :)
I figured you'd enjoy it. :) It's one of my favorites - and you're right, it's gotta be read with the proper British accent or it's just not the same.
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