Sex Before Marriage: Does God Approve?

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

How do you come to that conclusion?

What I meant by it had nothing to do with the married couple is that it doesn't mean they have to do "pure" things with one another. It means to keep the marriage bed for relations between the two married people - - don't bring fornication or adultery to the marriage bed, because those two things will be judge, hence don't bring others to the marriage bed.

[Aquila]

I was talking to an elder in the faith about this subject (we'll call him Bro. O.) and he offered an interesting text that he believes speaks to this issue:

1 Corinthians 7:36
New Century Version (NCV)
36 If a man thinks he is not doing the right thing with the girl he is engaged to, if she is almost past the best age to marry and he feels he should marry her, he should do what he wants. They should get married. It is no sin.

King James Version (KJV)
36But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.

English Standard Version (ESV)
36If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed,[a] if his[b] passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin.

New International Version (NIV)
36If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married.

Amplified Bible (AMP)
36But if any man thinks that he is not acting properly toward and in regard to his virgin [that he is preparing disgrace for her or incurring reproach], in case she is passing the bloom of her youth and if there is need for it, let him do what to him seems right; he does not sin; let them marry.

The concept is this:

- Young man feels he is not behaving properly with the girl he loves (premarital relations assumed).
- Passions are too strong to resist and she is of age.
- He should follow his conscience and do what is right.
- He should marry her.
- There is no sin.

He told me that he believes that there is a special "grace" for such couples and that such couples shouldn't be broken up or "regulated", especially IF already living together in a familial way (and definately if they have children). He also believes that through the power of preaching they will feel that they are not treating each other properly by living outside the bonds of marriage. With said biblical conviction they will seek to marry or choose to break up.

I found his thoughts interesting. He's in his early 80's and seems to always throw me ideas that are unconventional compared to the more "established" positions of the church on various subjects.

I just thought I'd share this as food for thought here.

God bless.

P.S.

Bro. O. has served as a missionary and pastor. He stated to me that this is a portion of Scripture he would never "preach", but rather he uses this Scripture when counseling or addressing this given issue.

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by allstate1

Well sex before marriage is a sin!! But it is a god idea to do it! Who would buy a car without test driving it???!

Originally Posted by berkeley

This is partly why this is know as the repro forum. Thanks.

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Oh, whatever - - there are 80 posts in this thread - this is the first to make a joke about it.

Originally Posted by berkeley

That was a joke? All jokes must include one or more smilies.

Originally Posted by allstate1

I wasnt joking! It was a crude remark but there is a lot of truth in it. Sexual incompatibly is a major cause for indescretions.

Well...

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I've heard of devout ulta-ultra-ultra conservative Christians who "marry" privately without government involvement. While I think this opens them up for loosing out on the legal benefits of marriage... is this something God recognizes?

I think the issue is simple. It's a sin, and sin has consequences. The guilt, shame, insecurity, and perhaps ultimate pain of heartache (not to mention Hell) are the results of this sin. Legal marriage is still a haven of safety.

Just courious... has everyone here waited until marriage? Just curious.

[JoeBandy]

Originally Posted by berkeley

Well...

O lord!! OL Allstate... If you know him like I do you know he wasn't joking. but I do kinda agree with him.

[berkeley]

You think people should roll in the hay before getting married?

Originally Posted by JoeBandy

O lord!! OL Allstate... If you know him like I do you know he wasn't joking. but I do kinda agree with him.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I've heard of devout ulta-ultra-ultra conservative Christians who "marry" privately without government involvement. While I think this opens them up for loosing out on the legal benefits of marriage... is this something God recognizes?

I think the issue is simple. It's a sin, and sin has consequences. The guilt, shame, insecurity, and perhaps ultimate pain of heartache (not to mention Hell) are the results of this sin. Legal marriage is still a haven of safety.

Time changes things...

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by n david

time changes things...

roflol!

[Esaias]

There wouldn't even be a question or debate about this if folks just read and obeyed their Bibles. Sex before marriage requires marriage - immediately - otherwise it's fornication, punishable by death. Just like murder, kidnapping, rape, sodomy, adultery, idolatry, blasphemy, etc.

[Apostolic1ness]

God does not approve.