Sex matters!

Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Chris Simmonds:

What did I like about today’s passage?

So here we have some of the more hotly debated chapters of our time. Paul’s very specific and directive advice seems to fly in the face of many of the sexual norms of our liberated, ‘sex positive’ culture. This section of Paul’s letter first addresses a specific issue (a man sleeping with his step-mum). It goes on to unpack general sexual moral guidance and then advice for those who are married and single.

I think what I love most about these chapters is that there are no taboos with Paul. Much maligned as he is for speaking his mind so forthrightly, at least he tackles issues head-on.

I think we go wrong when we take Paul’s - or any other biblical writer’s – words at face value, applying them without any thought for the very specific social and historic context they were addressing. Paul was certainly not wanting to write new ‘law’ – given the pains he clearly took to uproot the old law of the Jewish people.

But that being said, he does clearly think sex matters. A lot. Which I also love. Sex for Paul is not just a necessary means of procreation or fleeting fun. Rather he clearly sees it as powerful, and deeply spiritual. Indeed, is not such a perspective - which sees sex as unparalleled in its power both to deeply unite and irrevocably tear apart, to bring life, or death – is not such a perspective profoundly ‘sex positive’? Sex is certainly not a dirty word for Paul, but equally, it is not a trivial word.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

These chapters show me that sex matters to God. He cares that we get this right. Trinity is relationship. The three persons of the Godhead continually giving of themselves each to the other, selflessly and freely. There is something sacred when two people come together in mutual vulnerability and trust, each giving themselves for the other in love. This is no fire to be toyed with, and yet is something we should hold up, honour, celebrate and TALK ABOUT. The frankness of this passage – not to mention the rest of the bible - runs counter to our oh-so-British modesty and prudish dodging of sensitive issues.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

Let’s follow Paul’s example. While we don’t carry the authority or clout Paul had, and while there is probably room for a little, or a lot, more pastoral sensitivity, let’s also not sweep things under the carpet when we see people hurting themselves or others with their misuse of sex. Let’s call it out, privately and with deep grace and love, and talk about it.

Who am I going to share this with?

Probably not my kids. Not yet at least…