Discussions and sermons


Sexual preference in Christian relationships

In the ultimate sense of the transcendental will and purpose of the Eternal, human sexuality will become so changed as to make our concept of male and female almost irrelevant. In a simple sense, it is clearly taught that there is no male or female in Christ and that there will be no marrying and giving in marriage in the heavenly state. Perhaps this is too remote from the very urgent tensions and desires mankind experiences in the here and now to be helpful? However, what can be understood from this is the need to limit our sexuality discussion to the context of our present world, encompassing as it does the framework of present time and mortality.

The teaching of the Christian ecclesia proposes that humanity has been created and placed within this framework of mortality for a purpose. He/she has a place and function, and our thoughts and attitudes have need to be subordinated to this divine purpose. Hence all our activities are to be governed by the inherent righteousness and love of God. He purposed all of creation, and has the fulfillment of all things in His care.

To be Christ like and walk with righteousness before God, humanity has one primary choice. If one is to be a child of God and part of the eternal plan, obedience is better than sacrifice and victorious life begins in submission. How can we know? How can we see the plan of the Almighty? Where do we turn? Where is the pathway?

Jesus said “The kingdom of God is within you” God is not far away and He waits for you to turn to Him and ask. This is the first call. Seek first your eternal Father and He will speak to your heart and guide every moment.

As a fundamental of the Christian faith this also requires guidance by the Spirit through the inerrant Word i.e. the Scripture as contained in the Bible. (It should be noted that some communions extend this obedience to obeying the pronouncements of a teaching clergy, and hence the traditions that have developed within this communion. (N.B. This doctrine has inherent weaknesses)

Given these ideas of obedience as the basis of discussion about sexual choice in the Christian faith, it may be helpful to make an observation as to the purpose of sex in the primary sense. From the very simple bi-sexual creature to the complex organism which is mankind, the sexual function of living creatures has as its prime function the reproduction of the species. Any pleasure principles involved are mechanisms to bring this reproduction to a successful end. Note also that the idea of pleasure in the animal context is by necessity supposition. It can be argued that instinctive drives may well be to motivate the creatures of the non-sentient animal world. However, it is still true that in the primary sense mankind also has a basic motivation to reproduce the species. The imposition of this imperative may be suggested as instinctive or by command, never the less its primacy is found both in experience and in Scripture. The latter is apparent in God’s instruction to populate the earth. Consideration of primacy is important in understanding sexual choice. It helps us realize that sex is an ” other than self” activity in the first instance. i.e both a racial imperative and a divine imperative

The pleasure and self-satisfaction comes as a by-product of the prime species goal of reproduction. To argue that we are completely fulfilled by the satisfaction / pleasure of the act alone is ignoring this prime directive or at best setting it aside as a secondary motive.

It is difficult to escape the thought that the Creator designed us that we might worship Him by offering our bodies as the vehicle for the great divine creation of new life. When woman offers up an egg cell and man the sperm as an act worship and the Creator touches this joining with life it is indeed a wonderful fulfillment of the nature of humankind at the sexual level.

Consideration of the scriptural teaching will show that the vision for God’s people in this union finds its clearest pattern in the idea of family. e.g. the ecclesia is to be the “bride” of Christ, we are “children” of God, Jesus is portrayed as the “bridegroom.” The earthly obedience and the Christian answer to reproduction of the species is found in the family; expressed as man, woman and their biological offspring; children.

There are, it should be noted, a small group of persons, who by their unique calling enter into the celibate life as an offering to God. There are some also, who, for many reasons of lack, or no opportunity, never marry, but the calling to reproduction remains as a heart desire of the Creator.

It is also true that some couples find they are unable to reproduce due to some physical problem not anticipated when they began their marriage. This reality does little to reduce the desire to have children or the need to continue an ongoing sexual relationship. The creative possibility remains and faith in God’s creative purpose will continue a blessing upon such a union.

The fulfillment of creative possibility, achieved in having children or pursued in faith, is the great bonding factor in sex between man and woman in the married state. Creative possibility is the meaning of, the fundamental basis of, the word marriage. Couples can choose to not have children in this modern age but there is still the little journey towards creation which occurs in every act of erotic love that calls to the divine nature of man & woman.

Humankind inherently seeks the opposite gender as a sex partner. In Christian teachings this motivation is in every way wholesome and good but as with all things good and beautiful it can be corrupted. The Scriptures acknowledge this and as wise advice, teaches that believers should not join themselves to unbelievers. This points to a basic ground-rule in the matter of personal relationships. The beginning of a sexual relationship which in its fulfillment will have the blessing of the Lord God, must/should have, for the two people concerned, a commonality of spiritual things. On this common ground of shared belief, a love is possible between two people that has as its “pillar” the quality of “agape” or transcendental spiritual love. This kind of love goes beyond the grave and may be said to be eternal. Having a spiritual beginning in agape love allows the growth of “phileo” love (companionship, brotherly/sisterly, friendship) and so forms in the mind/soul a balanced and spiritually guided relationship. As this closeness grows the couple establish understanding and knowledge of each other. Then begins those exchanges which come as blessings to two sharing minds; ideally from such a pattern springs “eros”. A love that as the name implies involves the physical nature.

In very simple terms the Christian teaching on relationships is first spirit, then mind/soul, and lastly body.

This order of developing relationships is the responsibility of the two people concerned and clearly it is unlikely to be achieved overnight. The primary instruction to partners to be is the same as for all believers. Jesus said,” Love one another as I have loved you” His was the example of a love, being the pure form of agape, which placed the spiritual first in relationships. We should do likewise.

It would hardly be realistic to think that this order of Spirit first is the only acceptable ” first” attraction between the sexes. Our humanity responds at any or all levels of love, when meeting another person. How we deal with this situation is the important factor. Do we for example, allow our minds to be seduced by “eros” and fall victim to lust, or are we so spiritually prudish (and no earthly use) as to allow our minds to be shocked by what are natural feelings? There are those who enjoy humanist and reasonably successful marriages based on “phileo” love guiding the “eros” love of the physical. However, these two forms do not include the love Jesus was guiding us to display and lacking “agape” love these unions have no active spiritual guidance.

The Christian answer is to be walking in the light of God and live by the life of His Holy Spirit. He can and will establish balanced order in this critical decision. In so doing, we can come to avoid the pitfalls involved in sexual choice by placing the Spirit and the Word in the position of headship in our lives. The committed Christian acts as directed by the Holy Spirit who instructs our regenerated spirit. Illuminating the truth in the writings of the Books is part of this instruction. Truth shows forth as Christ, who stands in the midst of the Word of God. He is always saying, “The anointed Word is the way, walk in His light “.

Humankind’s greatest struggle in the question of sexual choice is control and mastery over genital sex. Around this question rages most of the sexual controversy of modern times. The questions of when, with whom, are we created wholly male or female, homosexuality, self satisfaction and many more of like intent take the stage of human discussion in seeming endless parade. It is as well to note that other basic physical wants also engage similar discussion. Consider as an example food and shelter. This almost obsessive discussion of these matters is not surprising, since all are powerful survival traits. Handled wisely they all bless humankind’s life on earth, misused and allowed to rampage unguided and uncontrolled, they can demonstrate mankind’s most violent act of unrighteousness, the lust of coveting.

Part of the Christian answer to the genital sex question is found in an understanding of covetousness. Jesus taught that adultery and fornication were not acceptable. (These acts involve coveting i.e. to avariciously desire what is not rightfully yours) He went even further to also condemn lusting in the heart, even if this did not extend to physical involvement. In other writings the apostles make it abundantly clear, that within marriage is the only righteous place for genital sex. The Christian ecclesia strongly supports and preaches this view, which has as its corollary, that physical sex outside of marriage is a sinful act.

This doctrine of the exclusiveness of marriage as a vehicle for genital sex is a fundamental question in Christian rejection of behavioral homosexuality. To have problems dealing with one’s personal sexuality is one thing we all face in varying measure but letting our genital drive order our behavior is quite another. We have already discussed this when considering the nature of love. In addition, the question of what is intended by the idea of marriage must be addressed. Can a man be married to man or a woman to a woman? Is the only purpose of marriage to give an opportunity for satisfying genital drives? If there is some other purpose, what is that purpose? How far can we move away from God’s pattern and plan for the married state and still find our behavior acceptable in His sight?

Consider again the previous thoughts about procreation. Humanism and legality has clear justification and good reason for registering/making legal/giving societal recognition to a homosexual partnership but this can never be marriage. To refute the creative aspect implied in marriage destroys a large part of the meaning.

There is some lack of clarity among Christian people on many of these issues. For most that have uncertainty in their hearts, the point made earlier on obedience to the Word of God needs to be addressed.

Once we take the view that the Scriptures merely contain the word of God as against the stand that Scripture is the word of God, the problems begin. Man begins to make his own rules, and the truth delivered to the saints becomes mixed with philosophy and traditions of men. The corruption of unseemly sexual acts and false teaching concerning the place of sex in the lives of humankind has its opportunity and is quick to claim legitimacy.

For example some among the recently styled “gay” cult, take deterministic evolution and dress this up in selected Christian teachings about being “loving” to one another. This is then used to demand that the ecclesia have an egalitarian attitude to the person who feels driven to acts of homosexual genital sex. This behavior is argued as being in conformity with the “true” nature of the person concerned. Since we evolved from an animal base through evolution, the biological state of the homosexual is a “how God made us” condition and this makes acts of homosexuality normal and acceptable. We can hardly be blamed for our acts; God made us this way. (There is no clear evidence that this is biologically so.)

While the gay argument may well be a good philosophic approach for such advocacy, it still suggests humanistic hedonism as being righteous and humankind and their egocentric needs as being fundamental spiritual rights. “If it feels good do it?” From this standpoint committing any sinful acts can be justified on the philosophic basis of it being self-expression. These can then be called “freedom” and results in the enthronement of humanity in the place of Christ.

Even so there is truth in this viewpoint. All humankind is born into this life as descendants of the first Adam and have his nature as their inheritance. All seek to draw their life from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Constantly there is that struggle to try to choose between good and evil while failing to realize that the life behind both the good and the evil from this tree comes from the same source and brings death.

Against this, Christian teaching makes no apology for being committed to the concept of perfection. In the Adamic story of Genesis the first man and woman were made in the likeness of God and lived in the presence of God. Sin was not part of their nature until they disobeyed. To return of humankind to this state and to this perfect relationship is the goal and vision of the ecclesia.

All who wish to sincerely embrace the Christian faith must understand that this world is flawed by sin. This flawed state is not the work of a righteous God but the result of the disobedience of Adam. Alcoholics flawed by their inability to give up drinking, gamblers caught in their obsession, drug addicts bound by their addiction, religious fanatics enslaved by ungodly cults, smokers caught in the nicotine habit, homosexuals driven by their inner compulsion, bodies breaking down in sickness and disability, pedophiles seeking children for satisfaction of abnormal sex drives, men and women indulging in fornication and adultery and everyone else are showing the results of this flawing of God’s intention for mankind. The source of the drive that causes the behaviors is of no consequence. To be born this way, to become this way, to willfully behave this way, makes no difference. The behavior is contrary to God’s creative purpose and is the result of the sinful Adamic nature. The defects and sickness inflicting humankind are the result of the iniquity of Adam and the inherent sinfulness of humankind.

The sin question is in the heart of the Christian message. Christ died for the sin of the whole world and so we are forgiven for all our actions against the creative purpose of a righteous God. He will deliver us from the bondage of a compulsion to go on sinning. Our loving Father does not condemn us when we stray into either the good works or the evil works of the Adamic nature.

In sexual activity this means there is no need and no freedom to be adulterous, to be a fornicator, to commit homosexual or lesbian acts, or in any way to indulge in behavior outside God’s righteous pattern of marriage between a man and a woman. We did not choose to be born like this and because of the cross neither does the Father condemn. There is no barrier between the divine nature within and God but that which is of Adam is already condemned.

The Christian walk is knowing the heart of God our Father, living in Him by the Spirit and allowing Christ to grow in us by feeding on Him. When Jesus is fully revealed, will He find such faith in the earth? Our Christian hope and joy is to be able individually to say yes to this question, to know, in this case, that we are in faithful obedience in all our personal relationships.

Jesus who the light of the world calls us to walk in Him.

(1 John 1:7 NRSV) but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Scriptural references

Sex with animals

(Exo 22:19 NIV) “Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal must be put to death.
(Lev 20:15-16 NIV) “‘If a man has sexual relations with an animal, he must be put to death, and you must kill the animal. [16] “‘If a woman approaches an animal to have sexual relations with it, kill both the woman and the animal. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
(Lev 18:23 NIV) “‘Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion.

Sodomy is detestable

(Lev 20:13 NIV) “‘If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
(Lev 18:22 NIV) “‘Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

Two stories of homosexual behaviour

(Judg 19:22 NIV) While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man, who owned the house, “Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him.”
(Gen 19:6-8 NIV) Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him [7] and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. [8] Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”

Living off immoral earnings

(Deu 23:18 NIV) You must not bring the earnings of a female prostitute or of a male prostitute into the house of the LORD your God to pay any vow, because the LORD your God detests them both.

Prostitution

(Deu 23:17 NIV) No Israelite man or woman is to become a shrine prostitute.
(1 Ki 14:24 NIV) There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land; the people engaged in all the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.
(1 Ki 15:12 NIV) He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his fathers had made.
(1 Ki 22:46 NIV) He rid the land of the rest of the male shrine prostitutes who remained there even after the reign of his father Asa.
(2 Ki 23:7 NIV) He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes, which were in the temple of the LORD and where women did weaving for Asherah.

Degrading of bodies by sexual impurity

(Rom 1:24 NIV) Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.
(Rom 1:26-27 NIV) Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. [27] In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

No place in the Kingdom of God

(1 Cor 6:9 NIV) Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders
(1 Corinthians 6:9) Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind

Subject to the Law.

(1 Tim 1:9-10 NIV) We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, [10] for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.

Direct Command

(Lev 18:22 NRSV) You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.

Note the condemnation in the above is not a matter of orientation but behaviour.

Some comments on physical practices

Sexual activity between man and woman needs no extended analysis. The male organ is designed to enter the female and the female organ specially adapted to comfortably receive it.

With male homosexual sex the anal canal replaces the female organ. The bowel is not designed for this purpose and usually requires special preparation. To suggest that God designed any man to ejaculate semen into the waste canal of another strains credulity.

Other practices between like sex partners could be listed but on analysis they are all found to be variations of masturbation of one kind or another. The object is to produce orgasm and receive the associated pleasurable result.

To name these practices as being expressions of mature, creative sexual love, blessed by God and guided by the Holy Spirit seems to approve any kind of manipulation of the human body which results in sexual pleasure. Are there no limits? For example some partners indulge in pain, viewing erotic films and pictures, bondage, anal sex and on and on. Their behavior is oft-times within marriage. Does this make their behavior pure and righteous? It is not necessarily true that giving pleasure to another is always an act of love, no matter how well intentioned.

Thoughts on purpose

Creative purpose also enters into the question of homosexuality. In order to accept that this condition and the practices that stem from it are wholesome, acceptable and righteous there is need to consider the question of the Creator’s purpose, if such exists, in regard to the existence of a homosexual member of humankind. Did God purpose to have in His perfect creation such individuals? There seems to be no Scriptural mention of such a man & woman as beings who would replenish the earth. life of all kinds that was to reproduce after its kind but no mention of virtually sterile individuals who were specifically created to occupy some niche in the overall creation on earth.

Considering the clear purpose of sex as reproduction it does seem clear that a homosexual orientation and with it an aversion/nil response/low satisfaction etc with opposite sex congress is rather less than the divine purpose. In the kindest of terms it seems to be a defect that needs help and change to return the individual to the heart desire of a creative God.

To be equipped with all the physical attributes for procreation and be unable to fulfill their purpose because of powerful orientation towards a same sex relationship speaks loudly of some form of defect/bondage/fear/misdirection/lack of maturity for which humankind has at this time no real answer. To say that this is how the Creator intended and wishes it to be, is stretching truth a little far.

The resistance to the view that such same sex behaviour is the result of some flaw contrary to God’s perfect will for the individual makeup of humankind is readily understood, since to accept a flaw, accepts the cause. To accept the cause places the origin in the fall of humankind. Indulging such a flaw by translating it into overt behaviour then becomes an action that once again fulfils the purpose of the deceiver and is clearly sin. This can be likened to the alcoholic who is also flawed in a very similar way.

The armed forces and the homosexual

These are some personal thoughts about this question and it will be seen that they have some implications for the wider community. Quite apart from the Christian problem there is a little discussed difficulty of community provision for the two additional groups created by the additional two sexes.

It is not often realised that a strong source for the friction found in the armed forces and like associations is a similar set of reasons as those needs that result in men and woman having separate quarters and toilet facilities where ever possible. Women in particular for example do not care for common shower rooms and toilets with men.

Although most would be reluctant to discuss this, a large number of men have a similar response towards homosexual males. Perhaps lesbian women promote a similar response in straight women? In the close quarters of a submarine for example these attitudes could be a serious problem In a rather inverse way it can be suggested that in ordinary society a homosexual man would be better using the women’s toilet facilities than the men’s when considering the sexual sensitivity of all concerned. Clearly nonsense, but this comment serves to highlight the problems society faces in trying to accommodate what have become the demands of the so called “gay” community.

In our society most persons do not feel comfortable exposing their bodies or being in a position where they can be looked on by anyone who may see them as a sex object Unless of course they expressly desires this to be so. The response if this happens is usually quite violent and this is not surprising, as this is a form of visual rape. To avoid this confrontation is an important responsibility of all that determine the rules of society behaviour, as is also the question of fair and just consideration of the feelings of all. It’s not as simple as it seems at first look. Do we eliminate all separation of sexes and have common facilities for all? Do we provide separate facilities for the four groups represented?

In the close contact stress of battle conditions these tensions can develop into serious problems.

Eldership in the ecclesia

Another problem confronting Christians. Admission to eldership for those chosen by the Holy Spirit who are celibate, is no problem. The difficulty begins when such a person wishes to indulge in same sex intercourse. At this time there is no acceptance by the vast majority of the ecclesia that same sex congress is holy, righteous and acceptable. Elders are to be husbands of one wife. That also complicates matters.

There is no condemnation

No matter where your opinions , attitudes, understandings or reasoning finds you the most important truth is to keep before all other thoughts are the words of Jesus as He was dying on the cross. “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” This is not just for particular people but was said to us all and applies to us all. In the sight of our father we are “not guilty”.

The meaning of love

The common translation of the words used in the Greek of the Bible for love fail to make clear the teachings of Jesus in regard to loving one another and leads to many false interpretations of gospel instruction. The Greek script has four words that are interpreted “love” in English and they are clearly speaking of different things.

The central theme of the teachings of Jesus is concerned with “agape” love not “eros”

The homosexual problem concerns “eros” and how this form of love should be manifested in Christian relationships. From this the word erotic or physically exciting, sexually stimulating etc. It is not valid to use love as expressed in the gospels to justify same sex congress at the eros level.

The erotic nature

It is interesting to consider and realize that the erotic part of our nature is very special in family life. There are many ways that two people may share experiences and activities but only sex provides a relationship that a husband and wife share uniquely with one another. It is a oneness experience that we keep for one person; a special kind of unity which in a balanced relationship is treasured. It is not very difficult to see from this how destructive infidelity is and how fornication tends to lower the value of marriage.

Humankind is made to be erotic in nature. However, notice the word balanced. When partners reach the erotic level of their being, a balanced guidance of spirit and knowledge will blend together to create a union that lifts all parts of both individuals into a deep realization of the creative purpose of being “married”. If all that has been discussed so far has not found an ongoing expression in this final bonding then there is no marriage. The partners are just living together. The creative affirming life mentioned earlier is withered and negated.

It is assumed that the act of sexual communion is known and has been carefully studied. Even so, it is surprising how many still lack an understanding of the ways in which love needs to adapt and change to fulfil the characteristic and very ordinary needs of both the man and the woman. Sexes are very different and we many times ignore this in our selfish, getting and keeping, buying and selling society. Strong relationships develop from a contrasting principle, that of giving and receiving. Be very clear that while giving makes most of us happy and we like the feeling of giving the other half is VERY important. Something offered/given should/must be graciously received. The principle is a two way street; particularly in sexual relationships.
Love gives and in the giving supplies needs. Needs are only met by accepting the love that is given.

Sexual needs are different for men & women and the definition of marriage involves the satisfaction of both male and the female needs.

For men the act of marriage satisfies an ever-present sex drive. It helps to fulfil his manhood. It enhances his love and closeness to his wife. Provides intense pleasure and relaxation.

For a woman the act also helps to fulfil her womanhood. It reassures her of her husband,s love and provides pleasure and relaxation. The needs are very similar but the path to sex drive satisfaction is much quieter and in a way more beautiful for a woman. Man can take part in this small journey if he gives attention to the need for companionship love, compassionate love, romantic love, affectionate love and then and only then passionate love.

This is the little journey that can only be experienced between a man and a woman. It is unique to the marriage oneness of male and female as they journey to the peak of creative possibility, to that place of orgiastic fulfilment that can result in a new life. This is the unique nature of human marriage and the word should not be applied to same sex relationships. Other forms of sexual orientation and experience may attempt to duplicate this relationship but the result is never the same. Homosexuality can be a relationship but never a marriage.

Final comment

The content of this paper is specifically about a Christian viewpoint on sexual relationships. Those who have a different view on spiritual and ethical behaviours deemed suitable for modern society may well disagree with what has been written. Experience has shown there are many same sex relationships that endure. These have often demonstrated a highly satisfactory level of social behaviours and life style when measured by humanity standards. For this reason such relationships should be afforded all the legal rights and privileges given to “married” citizens.

A better solution to the over emotionalized question of marriage may well for the State to register all couples as a “Registered Relationship” and leave marriage as such to the religious groups to bless and sanctify in their own way as and if thought necessary by each couple. This would be a more honest approach for all concerned. This word could be removed from the statute books and fall back into religious terminology where it belongs.

How one lives is the choice made by all of humankind individually and for those who believe there is a God, the judging of these behaviours is, and will be, the privilege of the Creator. The humanist view in contrast suggests it really doesn’t matter, unless the behaviours harm another or damages the society in which it takes place.

The Christian ecclesia has been given a “text book/guide book/set of rules/the inerrant words of God/a history of the faith”. Which of these names is right to describe the Bible? This question is the heart of the contentions in the ecclesia of today. The answer may well change the behaviours of many.

As the disciple walks more and more in the nature of the true self, which is Christ within the hope of glory, the sinful nature of Adam will slowly die. Walking in the light as He is in the light can have only one result. All compulsions and activities which are not of the divine nature will fall away to reveal in us the Christ. We all will then know as we are known. Until then the instruction is to love (agape) one another.

1. This has underlying implications. God is love and the love of God transcends sex.
2. A very questionable practice dating from the Aaronic priesthood And open to the doctrine of the Nicolaitenes
3. It is certainly enough for a very large percentage of the population of the earth and sadly humankind also.
4. Many are called but few are chosen is a useful comment perhaps. The unscriptural restriction imposed on the priests of the Roman church is not a “calling” which God could approve. It is contrary to the Scriptural examples of the nature of priesthood.
5. Erotic love is not erotic sex. “Making love” is a ridiculous way of describing erotic sex. Making lust or fornication would be closer to the truth.
6. Self indulgent sexual desire.
7. Voluntary sexual intercourse between two people outside of marriage. Is applied to extramarital affairs also.
8. Commital for life between two people of the opposite sex.
9. There is a constant push to allow same sex couples to be married. The reasons for this are simple to see. Much better if ALL couples straight or gay are registered as a “Joined Relationship” and leave the sanctifying of the `marriage to the religious system where it belongs.
10. One argument used is the there is no valid reason why not since it harms no one. Willing sex with ones mother, father, sister, brother or animals also does no harm . But is it holy and righteous?
11. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
12. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.