I consider myself to be a devout Christian, as my readers may know. In fact, I have a whole menu category devoted exclusively to spiritual matters. I recently ran across a couple of verses in the New Testament that I thought might really challenge the faith of some who consider themselves Christians today.
To remind my readers, I do believe in the Bible as the Word of God, as I think all Christians do. Different sects or denominations of Christianity may interpret certain verses differently than others, but we all believe in the divine origin of the Bible. I believe the teachings of God should be a guide for our lives, and we ought to abide by the doctrine taught by Christ and His prophets and disciples in it, especially the New Testament.
Here are the verses, found in 1 Corinthians, 6:9-10. I quote from the King James Version:
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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Let’s go over these verses. Here Paul is warning that those who persist in sinful behavior will not inherit God’s kingdom. In verses 11-20 he continues by warning members of the church about the false idea that “all things are lawful” or that everything is permissible, but I’ll focus for a moment on 9-10 before continuing.
Paul starts by naming fornication as a sin. What is fornication? The dictionary defines it simply as “sexual intercourse between two persons not married to each other.” Fornication in the New Testament comes from the Greek word porneia, which includes pre-marital sex, adultery, incest, and any sexual behavior not occurring inside the bond of marriage. In fact all forms of immorality are contrary to God’s law.
Paul says the same thing in other scriptures as well. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 he says:
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God
I think of “lust of concupiscence” as meaning lustful passions and the phrase “possess his vessel” as controlling your body. Paul, James, and others forbid fornication multiple times throughout the New Testament, such as in Acts 15:20, 21:25, 1 Cor 10:8, etc.
The Book of Mormon also condemns fornication, meaning any kind of sexual intimacy outside of marriage. The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob says of his own teachings:
And now I, Jacob, spake many more things unto the people of Nephi, warning them against fornication and lasciviousness, and every kind of sin, telling them the awful consequences of them.
Another Book of Mormon prophet, Alma, in reproving his son, who had committed some sins, one of which was fornication said:
And this is not all, my son. Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel…
Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?
This is how clearly Christians should understand God’s law as it pertains to sexuality in mortality.
For those of us who has sinned against this law, we need never despair. There is One who has paid the price for our sins and will forgive us if we will repent with our whole hearts! Repentance isn’t always easy, but the Lord Jesus Christ suffered for us so He can forgive us as we ask with real intent, and as we show Him we are turning away from that sin. Our Lord gave us a very simple formula:
Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.
I’ve written an article on the great positive consequences to us personally and as a society if we live God’s law. It is my testimony that we will be happier here on earth, and happier eternally if we do.