Love God & Love Your Neighbor
Submitted by Splash! on March 20 2002 02:29:55
In reply to Re: Sex and Candy (for Bach, Wolfcub, Ben, and Nate) submitted by Bach on March 18 2002 17:44:31
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Bach, That verse does provide a very good basis for ALL relationships. If we love God and love our neighbor, then we will do what glorifies God and shine forth the love of God in all we do. We wouldn't have sex for the heck of it (using others even if they don't care), we wouldn't cheat on our partner, and we wouldn't do anything that would cause any kind of harm (present or future). I agree with your view on divorce and committed relationships. But I wonder, if Moses permitted them to sin (divorce = adultery, Matthew 19:8-9), was this also a sin to Moses for his allowing it to happen? Or was it okay for "ethical" reasons, to obtain the greatest good out of a hard-hearted people? Similar to this is what Paul said, "It is better to marry than burn with passion" (1 Corinthians 7:8-9). The King James just says "than to burn" period. We are more able to show our love for God by being single, except when we have passion for another person, then it is better to marry that person (lest we commit adultery in our hearts, I presume). So, again, it appears that when we're "hard-hearted" or if an obstacle blocks our relationship with God, it is more ethical to give in to the lesser sin than to be overtaken by the greater sin? Is that right, or am I seeing this wrong? In my last relationship I saw it was more ethical to live with the woman "in sin" so that I could be with her, support her, be her strength, take care of her and the kids. For me, it was a more ethical choice than that of the church who turned their backs on her and the kids (because of the divorce). The oldest child wasn't even two years old when they joined the church... it was their family, right? Apparently not. But I was a close friend of theirs and I knew I couldn't turn my back on them. The pastor told me to leave them alone, but I just knew it wasn't right. Even if it was sin, it wasn't right. So, does God make exceptions? He seems to... in favor of the greatest good. Who's to say He doesn't do the same in ALL of our relationships? The Pharisees said it was a sin to do anything on the sabbath, but what did Jesus do? He did what He knew to be the greatest good -- to heal and care for people. I guess it depends on what you do. So, is it possible to have a homosexual relationship and still be in God's grace? Are there exceptions? Are there limits? What things can one do in a homosexual relationship while still being a Christian? The Bible says "lie not with a man as one lies with a woman" -- what does that mean? Some say the Old Testament is Law, but now we live under Grace. What other things does the Bible say not to do which we ignore and continue to do? Why is it okay to ignore one verse and not another? In the New Testament, homosexuals (or effiminate) are linked together with "all liars" who go to Hell. Who is not a liar? So, what does this mean? Are there exceptions? Is not one of the exceptions that we're under Christ? Is it possible to be a liar and be under Christ? Is it possible to be a homosexual and be under Christ? What are the exceptions, if any? And... Is it possible to be a boylover and be under Christ? What are the exceptions? Love God and love your neighbor. How is this love expressed in an adult-minor relationship? I think we all know it can be expressed in many different ways. Can one of these expressions be through sex? Does God make an exception for this? What about that one boy who believes sex to be the ONLY expression of love, and he's actively seeking it from his adult friend? Does the adult try to convince the boy that love exists through other forms, or is it for the greater good that the adult allows some sexual interaction in his relationship with the boy? Is there an exception? Possibly. I can say no more than that. But I think the chances of that "possibility" must be VERY rare. Do we take our chances in showing this kind of love to the boy at the risk of putting him in danger? Danger of being ridiculed, teased, being made to testify against his AF in court, etc., and danger of others telling him how wrong and sick a relationship like that must've been. Do we dare take certain chances knowing they are right to take? As a student of Charles Finney's Systematic Theology, I tend to always ask myself, "What is the greatest good? or What is most beneficial?" Others might ask, "What would Jesus do?" But even then, Jesus didn't have a sexual relationship (despite certain myths and rumors). So, apparently it wasn't something okay for Him (if only because he knew he would be dead soon and didn't want to leave a widow and fatherless child behind), but it is okay for man to do (we've been commanded to procreate). What is or isn't okay to do in an adult-minor relationship? Love isn't okay? Or is it? How, when, where, why, and by whom? Bach says, "What happens if the kid appreciates what the adult has offered... at great personal risk to both of them... and it is a life-changing event that transforms their relationship to each other and God? Is it possible for God to bless this kind of intimacy?" Yes, I think it's possible, but how, when, where, why, and by whom? For me, answering this question isn't possible; however, I do believe the key to this answer is in Mark 12:29-31. Love and glorify God, showing His love to others. Splash |
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