Now enter Joe and Sally’s family and church.  They all think this is a bad idea.  But why is it a bad idea?  The Bible gives no definitive command that says two adults of the opposite sex cannot live under the same roof as one another.  So why does their family and church conclude that their decision is wrong?   Joe and Sally have failed to have a thoroughly biblical worldview.  They have gleaned what they like about the faith and not considered the rest.  The Bible says, “for this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.”¹  Now Joe and Sally say, ‘we will live in separate rooms, just because we are living in the same location doesn’t mean we are having pre-marital sex.  If we want to have pre-marital sex we can do that without living together.’  And to that we would say you are correct, however, the Bible also say, “flee from sexual immorality.”²  That is a definitive command in scripture, flee, avoid, and run away from sexual immorality.  When Joe and Sally decide to move in together they are ignoring this command and instead they are welcoming into their home the very temptation they are supposed to avoid.  But they still object and say, ‘they are strong enough to abstain from such temptation.’  Jesus said, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”³

Cohabitation is wrong because it does not bring glory to God.  It is generally assumed by everyone that if you are living together in a romantic relationship that you are engaged in a sexual relationship.  I can already hear the objections to this statement, ‘so, you are saying we should not do something because other people will make judgments?’  Yes.  We are called as disciples of Jesus Christ to live differently and, act differently than those who do not believe.  Christ has not called us to a life of comfort and ease.  He calls us to take up our cross and follow him.  That will require us to make some hard choices, choices that would be relatively easy for unbelievers.  Paul says, “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”⁴

I understand there are difficult situations people are called to face, but that is why Christ has given us one another, the church.  God always provides a way of escape from temptation,⁵ sometimes you just have to seek, ask and knock to find it.

- Pastor Corey

1   1 Thessalonians 4:3
2   1 Corinthians 6:18
3   Mk 14:38
4   Ephesians 5:8
5   1 Corinthians 10:13

(A Meditation on Philippians 4:10-20)

In Philippians chapter 4 the Apostle Paul thanks the church at Philippi for their concern for him and then tells them what he has learned about material possessions and daily provisions.  Paul says he has learned to be content.  “Content with what?” we ask.  Paul is content with the things God provides for him.  Paul was content with the amount of food he had each day.  He was content with his lodging, his clothing, and his finances.

As I looked over these verses what struck me is that the church today has become content with where we are spiritually, the size of our church, the lost and poverty.  Yet we are far too often discontent about our money, clothing, cars, houses and toys.  This is the complete opposite of a Biblical worldview.  A Biblical worldview says, “God shall supply all your NEEDS according to his riches in Christ Jesus.”  A Biblical worldview says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.”  The Apostle Paul was content with the right things.  He was content with his daily provisions, but he was discontent about the right things as well.   Paul was discontent about the spiritual condition of many of his churches.  He was discontent about the great commission and longed to reach more people with the gospel; and he was discontent with his own spiritual growth.  He says, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

It is my ardent prayer that when the history books are closed at the end of 2012, we will be able to read that Winfield Baptist Church was content about the right things and discontent about theright things.  Would you join me in praying for the associate pastor search committee in the coming weeks as we seek the man God would have join us here in the work of the ministry and would you join me in praying for the Church Planting Team as they gear up to begin a new work in Sunbury in 2012?  May God be praised for the great things he has done, is doing and will do!

-Pastor Corey