Sexual Immorality

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.   1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

Sex on my left. Sex on my right. Sex in front of me and behind. Sex through my eyes, and through my ears. Whichever way I look or hear, sex is shoved into my mind.

What was once sacred between two people is now irresponsibly available for anyone to enjoy. The life-long benefits of a committed two-person relationship are being destroyed. The victims include families, children, and society at large.

What God designed as an intimate, private matter between a married couple is now mass distributed via the airwaves. What God intended to bind two people together into one flesh has become an overindulged, cheapen commodity sold in the marketplace.

God created sex for the marriage bed (Heb.13:4). Humanity though, like most of God’s gifts from creation, has overly satiated their carnal desires into a destructive addiction. Rather than bath in the holiness of God, carnal nature tramples itself into a lustful state of passionate extreme. The result is a soul darken without joyous love and restful peace.

God wants what is best for humanity. He designed the human spirit for purpose and meaning. HE created life to be enjoyed. But humanity does not want to believe the Triune God. The carnal heart is spoiled with self-aggrandizement. Human nature wants to decide for themselves what is good and evil apart from God. The fruit identifies the health of a tree. And God’s design for sex when exercised within HIS boundaries leads to a healthy relationship between two people who are committed to a life-long marriage.

Your sexual habits are a strong indicator of your heart with God.

When the Acts 15 conference was settled, sexual immorality was one of the four foundations the Gentiles were to follow rather than the Jewish law. Those who practice sexual immorality are placing themselves outside of God’s sanctuary city (Rev. 22:14-15). They are excluded from inheriting God’s Kingdom (Eph 5:5). Rather than bath themselves in holiness, they saturate their carnal desire. Their soul lies empty. Rather than fill the hole with God’s Spirit, they seek out worldly gods to please them. The result only produces transient relationships. An artificial facade which quickly cracks and breaks. The pain is real. The soul again cries for help. But the heart is stubborn. Rather than change their perspective about God, they indulge themselves into another carnal passion. Sex makes them feel good for a few moments. But soon the emptiness grows. The soul again cries for godliness, but the pride fights the call for repentance.   

Sex without lifelong commitment and faithfulness to one person is idolatry in God’s eye.  God made a commitment to you. He wants the same in return. When we do, we experience life the way God intended one to live. When another god comes between you and HIM, we lose out of fully experiencing the love and joy HE provides. God created sex for procreation. He wants to resurrect humanity into a heavenly family. But HE also designed it for mutual pleasure between a husband and wife. Two people learning to love and care for one another while raising a family. Healthy families lead to healthy societies. When sex is used outside the marriage bed, it depletes and cheapens marriage. When marriage is destroyed, so is the family structure. All this leads to more turmoil and the unbinding of social structures. Eventually you have a world in chaos where transgressions grow and evil abounds. Not a pleasant place to live.

Flee sexual immorality are wise words ( 1 Corinthians 6:18). Both for yourself. The other person. And for society. Instead, let God’s Spirit fill you. Since we are HIS temple the church, let’s make holiness the aim. For holiness opens the door to experience the fruit of HIS Spirit and the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This is the life God created for us to enjoy. And with sex reserved within marriage, the life-long bond between two people with a Christ-centered focus makes life even more enriching!   

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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God’s Vision For Humanity

Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. 

Revelation 20:6

Whenever I hear someone ask what is the purpose of life, the empathy overtakes me. I’ve been there. Most of us somewhere in life have stopped to ask the same question. We either arrived to a satisfactory answer or not. If we did, and are in the twilight end of our life, we are either smiling or more depressed than before. If we haven’t found the answer yet, read on.

This question hit me as a seventeen year old. It was a surreal moment when my entire future life flashed before me. Born. Schooled. Married. Worked. Died. Is that all this life offers?

If so, we might as will quit now instead of exerting any more energy. The end result doesn’t justify the means. But if there is more to life than eat, sleep, and work, what is it?

It all begins with God. If there is no Creator, then life is a happen-chance. A random, thoughtless, process of pleasurable and painful moments. But if there is a God, then HE must have purpose behind HIS creation.

I chose to believe there is a God. I followed Blaise Pascal’s wager to accept the Christian faith. My search led me to read the Bible. First like a fiction book. Then as a manual handbook. Lastly as a bibliography of God’s relationship with humanity through Jesus Christ. The entire Book is a history lesson of the spiritual world and humanity. You find principles for successful living. But more importantly, you gain a glimpse of our Creator’s purpose. A future event when God will bring all things to a culmination. In some ways, it will be the largest graduation and marriage celebration of all time.

Here are ten Scriptures besides the one on top which outlines God’s macro vision for you and me.

— Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” John 18:37


— but he (Jesus) said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”   Luke 4:43

In him (Jesus) we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.   Ephesians 1:11

— And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.   Romans 8:23

— To the one who conquers I (Jesus) will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ Revelations 2:7

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ Revelations 2:11

— Behold, I (Jesus) stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Revelations 3:20-21

— The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I (Jesus) will give authority over the nations, and he (you & I) will rule (shepherd) them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.   Revelations 3: 26-27.

— And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”   Revelations 21:3-4

So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

Yes, life is a learning process preparing you for eternity as children of the Creator God. Jesus is our elder brother who is preparing a place for you in the family business – The Kingdom of God. Each day your character, mind, and heart is being developed in Christ. All these activities of this life are preparing you for work under the new heaven and earth. This is why God cares for your soul. Your soul is the central command center you take with you when you crossover into the new age.

In some way, this life is like the embryo within the womb of a mother. As a baby grows fed through the umbilical cord, so is the child of God. As we abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit feeds us. One day the mother gives birth to a new life, so will it be when we are resurrected. Today, in the womb of the church, we are being fed, nourished, and protected. All until we reach Christlike maturity (Eph 4:13). Then at death, we are birth into our eternal home. Held in the arms of Jesus until our resurrection into the new age.

This life with its tribulations, pain, and suffering is not where utopia exists. Instead, it is the training ground to prepare you and I for eternity. That is why failure is never permanent. But the learning process of becoming more like Christ. God’s grace overshadows life’s misery. His mercies extend beyond time and space. When you walk and dance with the Triune God, you learn to appreciate the ups and downs of life. For you know the reason and HIS long-term purpose for you. Everything until then is only short-term pain for eternal glory.

Yes, God wants a family. HE wants to share HIS kingdom work with HIS children. HE also wants to include you. But HE doesn’t want rebellious children. He wants children who desire to share life with HIM. Our life today is a way for HIM to separate those who want too from those who do not. It’s your call. You are already included. The only question is whether you are going to engage yourself with HIM or not.  

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Divide and Conquer

“Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”   Matthew 12:25

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“I (Paul) appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”  1 Corinthians 1:10

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“ So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”  1 Corinthians 3:21-23

The divide and conquer strategy is used by manipulative leaders. It is their prime tool to gain control over people. In today’s culture, this method is constantly employed in business, government, and social networks.

In business, there is profit to be made from fear. For example, we witness how the news media positions their headlines. They are written to cause emotional trauma between people. The sole purpose is to generate traffic to increase their ad revenue.

There are also votes to be gained within government power structures. If the opposing party stands up for an idea, their side takes the other side. The outcome is an us against them mentality. The more fear they can produce, the greater financial support they are able to generate. They play each side against one another to distract from their real agendas.

These bad actors don’t truly care for unity. Instead they ask themselves what profit or popularity is there to gain? The power masses generally don’t care for the people. They only want more of what they have. Divisiveness is their tool to manipulate you.

The early Corinth church dealt with a similar us against them mentality. Groups were being formed to support their man. Some claimed they only followed the teachings of Apollos. Others sided with Paul. Others with Peter. And of course some only Christ. The faith community was becoming divisive.

Paul’s solution was for everyone to refocus on God through Christ. That God’s servant leaders only exercised their gifts and functions to support Christ’s work. Some planted. Others watered. But God gives the growth. So, be grateful for the people who are serving you. We all share in the bounty of Christ. You are HIS. HE is for you. Let everyone work together for God’s glory and good.

Don’t play the divisiveness game. Be aware when you are being manipulated to play their game. Instead, focus on what the Spirit is doing for the glory of Christ and God. Don’t let them divide you from each other. Ask Jesus to intervene for you. To show you how best to act in the situation.

Jesus was aware of this maneuver (Mt.12). He called it out. You can do the same.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!


Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved