pure and unadulterated
"What I say to you is: anyone who looks lustfully at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his thoughts." —Matthew 5:28
Our culture assumes people are going to commit sexual sins; it just hopes they use condoms or other forms of birth control to guard against sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy. Jesus sees our sexuality very differently. He contradicts the lie of "safe sex"; His concern is that we not even glance lustfully at another person (Mt 5:28).
Jesus' attitude toward sex is more than light-years away from the world's attitude. We must accept Jesus' word and reject the deceptions of the world. Any compromise with the world is a rejection of Jesus' will for our sexuality. If we're not sexually pure and not repenting, Jesus is not Lord of our lives. If He's not our Lord, then we are trapped in sin and on our way to hell.
"Make no mistake about this: no fornicator, no unclean or lustful person — in effect an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with worthless arguments. These are sins that bring God's wrath down on the disobedient; therefore have nothing to do with them" (Eph 5:5-7).
"God has not called us to immorality but to holiness; hence, whoever rejects these instructions rejects, not man, but God Who sends His Holy Spirit upon you" (1 Thes 4:7-8). God's grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:9). We can and must be pure as Jesus is pure (1 Jn 3:3).
Prayer: Father, by Your grace may I resist sexual temptation at all costs (see Mt 5:29; Heb 12:4).
Promise: "This treasure we possess in earthen vessels, to make it clear that its surpassing power comes from God." —2 Cor 4:7
Praise: Julia wears a purity ring so that all may know she is dedicated to God and to the husband she trusts He's chosen for her in advance.
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 5, 2009
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