Sexuality and Christian Hope
A Lesson from Tim Keller
The hope of Christians reshapes their view on sex.
Some consider sex as an appetite, like their urge for food (1 Corinthians 6:13). Some consider sex as something dirty that should be avoided (1 Corinthians 7:1).
For Christians, God created sex and considered it as good. Via sex, two become one flesh, united not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, fully committed and giving totally to each other (1 Corinthians 6:16-18). So Christians should flee from sexual immorality and sex outside marriage, and instead give up their independence for intimacy with their spouse, just as God voluntarily sacrificed His independence and became a vulnerable human to have intimacy with us.
However, being single without romance and sex is fine too (1 Corinthians 7:27-31). Traditional culture emphasizes family. In the olden days, women were nobody if they were single. Nowadays, many believe life on earth is everything, so finding sex, romance and one’s true love are paramount. Christians hold different views. Whether married or single, Christians shouldn’t be too eager to change their status (1 Corinthians 7:27-31).
Christians’ views on sex, singleness, and marriage are based on their hope in the ultimate family, journey, and love.
Christians anchor their hope on the ultimate family of God, not on their spouses or children. The world in the present form is passing away; don’t be too attached to it (1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 10:29-20).
Marriages among imperfect couples are a long and hard journey (1 Corinthians 7:28). Even if you’ve married the perfect person, they will change.
A Christian’s hope isn’t confined by the worldly journey, but instead rests on the ultimate journey of helping their spouse to become holy and blameless (Ephesian 5:25-27).
Christians also hope for the ultimate love, to be united with God (1 Corinthians 6:17). When the Samaritan woman asked Christ for living water, Christ talked about her sex life (John 4:15-18). No man could satisfy her. Only Christ could. Christ is the ultimate lover we need.
Whether we are single or married, our hope should be in God. For those looking for a spouse, find one with the same focus. For the happily married, don’t make the other side your idol. For the unhappily married, put your hope in God.
Summarized from a Tim Keller’s sermon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaYKyRLjxzI
Some consider sex as an appetite, like their urge for food (1 Corinthians 6:13). Some consider sex as something dirty that should be avoided (1 Corinthians 7:1).
For Christians, God created sex and considered it as good. Via sex, two become one flesh, united not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, fully committed and giving totally to each other (1 Corinthians 6:16-18). So Christians should flee from sexual immorality and sex outside marriage, and instead give up their independence for intimacy with their spouse, just as God voluntarily sacrificed His independence and became a vulnerable human to have intimacy with us.
However, being single without romance and sex is fine too (1 Corinthians 7:27-31). Traditional culture emphasizes family. In the olden days, women were nobody if they were single. Nowadays, many believe life on earth is everything, so finding sex, romance and one’s true love are paramount. Christians hold different views. Whether married or single, Christians shouldn’t be too eager to change their status (1 Corinthians 7:27-31).
Christians’ views on sex, singleness, and marriage are based on their hope in the ultimate family, journey, and love.
Christians anchor their hope on the ultimate family of God, not on their spouses or children. The world in the present form is passing away; don’t be too attached to it (1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 10:29-20).
Marriages among imperfect couples are a long and hard journey (1 Corinthians 7:28). Even if you’ve married the perfect person, they will change.
A Christian’s hope isn’t confined by the worldly journey, but instead rests on the ultimate journey of helping their spouse to become holy and blameless (Ephesian 5:25-27).
Christians also hope for the ultimate love, to be united with God (1 Corinthians 6:17). When the Samaritan woman asked Christ for living water, Christ talked about her sex life (John 4:15-18). No man could satisfy her. Only Christ could. Christ is the ultimate lover we need.
Whether we are single or married, our hope should be in God. For those looking for a spouse, find one with the same focus. For the happily married, don’t make the other side your idol. For the unhappily married, put your hope in God.
Summarized from a Tim Keller’s sermon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaYKyRLjxzI