Seventh Commandment

Adultery. Bad news wrapped around illicit acts with deliciously tempting Hollywood frosting. Of course no well-intentioned person ever starts off wanting to commit adultery in the first place, but hey, this is an increasingly confusing and liberal age we live in, and ever so subtly our emotions draw us to the accessibly forbidden, masking it to be absolutely legitimate.

"If it feels good, just do it."

"Do whatever makes you happy."

"Follow your heart."

All around us, culture, society and the media (which shapes the culture anyways) repeatedly pound us with the benefits and pleasures of unbridled sex with anyone we happen to fancy at anytime we feel inclined, omitting the hassles of commitment and obedience to God's word. It's supposed to be cool to have multiple partners, be homosexual or even a bisexual. Yup, let's celebrate our differences (in sexual preferences). After all, the 10 Commandments were only applicable to the people of old and not to our modern-day society. What does the Bible, which was written so long ago, know about the people of the 21st century anyways?

Years ago, when I was making plans to co-habitate, it felt like the perfect solution for a person of my temperament. What is marriage anyways, besides a piece of paper from a poor rainforest tree sawn before its time?

To cut it painlessly short, all those lofty domestic plans came to naught when I met Jesus. Not only, I discovered, that I was supposed to stay sexually pure; I had to work at it too (which means I am responsible for guarding my heart and mind from wandering - a fulltime pre-occupation since I am prone to daydreaming).

So God, help me understand this. How is it that You created men and women and then clamped them with all these restrictions?

Possible things to think about (in order of priority):

1. Partnership
2. Pleasure
3. Pro-creation

I may never understand completely why God only allows sex in the context of a monogamous marriage, but I can see its benefits. I can see how faithfulness is displayed in these relationships, reflecting the character of God. I can see how God's promises are fulfilled in the sphere of a permanent and committed relationship. I can see how God loves enough to want this kind of relationship and work at it.

Question is: Do I love enough to reciprocate?