Center for Biblical Theology and Eschatology

Called Unto Chaste Living

by Steven R. Key

L.D. 41

Scripture: I Corinthians 6:9 - 7:17

We live, people of God, in an adulterous world. The sin which is addressed in the seventh commandment is not only found permissible in much of our society, but the world of our day is consumed with sex, a perversion of that holy bond which was instituted by God Himself. The Bible itself speaks clearly and openly concerning every aspect of holy marriage, including the physical relationship of intimacy and love between the one man and his one wife. In fact, Scripture is the only book that speaks clearly and purely about the marriage bed which is undefiled. It tells us in very plain language (Proverbs 5:18,19), "Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love." But that plain language also points to the exclusive nature of that love which we are given to enjoy. It is the relationship between a man and his wife, a relationship the intimacy of which is to reflect the intimate and unbreakable bond between Christ and His Bride, the Church. For that reason the Bible also exposes the terribleness of the sin of unchastity, showing evil for what it is in God's eyes. So also the seventh commandment speaks loudly and clearly: "Thou shalt not commit adultery." Or, in the words of I Corinthians 6:18, "Flee fornication." Or, to put it positively, maintain to God's glory that wonderful gift of holy marriage.

The intimacy of holy marriage is singularly expressed with physical intimacy, what is referred to, though not in Holy Scripture, as the sexual relationship. We stand today before a calling to live chastely, preserving the purity of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. It is not out of line, therefore, to mention by way of introduction that living chastely does not mean to remain unmarried. There is that philosophy, inherent in the Roman Catholic Church's demands of celibacy for the priesthood, but more widespread among certain pagan philosophies, that looks upon the physical intimacy of a man and woman as something inherently evil and dirty. That philosophy is as much a corruption of Scripture as is that philosophy which condones open fornication and adultery. For the fact is, the intimacy of the marriage bond, also in the physical relationship between a husband and his wife, was created by God, and was created by God good. So God would use man to bring forth the seed of the covenant, His Church. Even after the fall into sin, the Holy Spirit would inspire the writer to the Hebrews to write in Hebrews 13:4, "Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." And God, recognizing the very nature of man, gave us the words which we read in I Corinthians 7, "to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." He goes on to point out that in marriage, the wife's body becomes the very possession of her husband, and the husband's body becomes the possession of his wife, that the intimacy of their relationship may be realized by them both. So that physical act of intimacy reflects the intimacy of the covenant relationship between Christ and His Bride, as is also clearly revealed in the Song of Solomon. To live chastely, therefore, is not to look upon marriage and the sexual relationship as something evil. But it is to uphold the holiness of that bond. And that is our calling, according to the seventh commandment. You and I are:

CALLED UNTO CHASTE LIVING

We treat this subject by asking three simple questions:

I. WHAT?

II. HOW?

III. WHY?

What does it mean that we are called unto chaste living? How does such chastity come to expression? And why is this necessary and required of us?

1. THE FIRST QUESTION WE FACE, THEREFORE, IS: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE CHASTELY?

IN ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, WE MUST SEE, IN THE FIRST PLACE, THAT CHASTE LIVING IS THE HONORING OF HOLY MARRIAGE.

Marriage is a beautiful institution of God intended for man's blessing and joy. As God looked upon the man, His own good creation, God said (Genesis 2:18), "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." I will make him one that will stand before him as an echo, responding to his needs and answering to his call for creaturely fellowship and happiness. So God created the woman and gave her to Adam as bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh. And according to the Word of God which Adam saw in that very gift, he said, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." That means that marriage is the highest earthly relationship. It is the most intimate earthly relationship, in which two are one flesh. And, as Scripture makes clear, the marriage of two bonds them inseparably together, in a bond that can only be broken by God through death. We didn't read that far in I Corinthians 7, but that truth is confirmed in verse 39 of that chapter, where we read, "The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord." The same truth is emphasized in Romans 7:2,3: "For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man."

That beautiful, unbreakable bond of marriage was created by God holy. Notice how our Heidelberg Catechism refers in the 108th answer to holy wedlock. That creation ordinance of God — that which was instituted not as a sacrament, but as a creation ordinance — is a holy relationship which locks two together. It binds together in holiness, as a man and his wife together serve the Lord with wholehearted devotion. That was marriage from its very creation. But, as we well understand, sin virtually destroyed that holy bond.

Adultery is the violation, the tearing down, of this sacred union and holy bond of marriage. And adultery is the breech that entered from the sin of the first man and his wife. That is evident already in the last verse of Genesis 2 and what follows in Genesis 3. In the last verse of Genesis 2 we read this of Adam and his wife. "And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed." They had no reason for shame in that holy state. In every aspect of their married life they served God together. There was no reason for shame. But then came sin. And with sin came lust. Adultery was ushered in by the fall into sin, and adultery immediately tore the very fabric of that holy state of marriage. So we find immediately after the fall, the effects were this (Genesis 3:7): "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." Lust entered in as a consequence of the fall. And lust destroys. It consumes. It eats away at the love which is to characterize holy marriage.

IN HOLY MARRIAGE WE ARE TO LIVE CHASTELY.

That means, simply that we are to uphold the honor of the marriage state at all times. The seventh commandment, you see, is God's defense of the institution of marriage. The seventh commandment, coming to us who have been redeemed and brought out of the bondage of sin and death, points us to Christ. Marriage is restored to its holy state in one way, that is through Christ. Just as every human life into which Christ has entered order is restored, so marriage is sealed in holiness by Him and none other. That is why it is so immeasurably important to hear the Word of God in I Corinthians 7:39, that marriage is to be" in the Lord."

In this connection, I want to emphasize something to all our young people, even as I had opportunity in catechism classes the other night in connection with the doctrine that we were studying. (Doctrine indeed has a bearing on all of life, including that which we consider this morning). That which must be emphasized is this: I am sure that your parents would all like to see you find a young woman or a young man within our own churches, and that in that way God would establish a solid marriage. That desire is a godly desire, a desire that you might not have to go through the spiritual conflicts — initially at least — that arise in a relationship where there are different beliefs. But one requirement stands firmly grounded in the Bible, and that is that any relationship of friendship — and that means especially a dating relationship where so much is possibly at stake — any relationship of friendship may be established only in the Lord. That is with a Christian. And then, when I say, "a Christian," I don't mean someone who calls himself or herself a Christian. I'm talking as Scripture does, about one who is in Christ Jesus by a true and living faith, and therefore one who has a sincere desire to be living in godliness and to be growing in the spiritual understanding of that which God reveals in the Scriptures. If God's Word doesn't mean all that much to him or her, and if living the Christian life is only a matter of doing what is right around certain people, then that young man or young woman is not for you.

You must know the woman you would marry will be a godly help for you in your spiritual sojourn, and a praying mother in your home. You must know that the man whose name you will take as yours will be a faithful prophet, priest and king, consecrated to God in the care of you and your family. For you who are a believer, a member of Christ's body, to establish a relationship with one who is not, is to commit spiritual adultery, and brings devastating consequences, life-destroying consequences. In I Corinthians 6:15, which we read earlier, Paul says, "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?" That is what you are, if you are one with Him by faith. You are a member of Christ's body. Your bodies are too. So the Apostle writes: "shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid!" That is true not only physically. It is inconceivable that one who is a member of Christ, forsake Him to become one with the member of an harlot, one who is not of Christ. And the warning implies, of course, that this happens. If this never happened, or if the danger wasn't there, we wouldn't need this warning. But it happens. God's people sometimes fall very deeply, and the consequences are life-long sorrow and pain. There is forgiveness in Christ, to be sure. But there are some sins which bear consequences that even forgiveness in Christ does not remove — I speak now of the earthly consequences. So heed the warning. Marriage — and that quite obviously implies any relationship that leads to marriage — is to be in the Lord.

In the Lord marriage is restored to its state of holiness and beauty. In the Lord marriage serves as a beautiful reflection of the unbreakable covenant relationship between Christ and His Bride, the Church. The seventh commandment speaks directly of the holiness of such marriage. Contrary to the thoughts of man, marriage is not first of all an institution to serve man. Rather, God instituted marriage in order that in that state man might serve Him. Holy marriage is the union of a God-fearing man and his God-fearing wife, by which union God is pleased to gather His Church.

That means, of course, as is evident in Genesis 1:28, that the calling of marriage, in the service of the Lord, is to bring forth the Church, the seed of the covenant. As a rule, the elect children of God are born in the line of generations to covenant parents, who in turn bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, equipping them for the battle and showing them the victory that is in Christ Jesus. It is with that truth in view that Scripture honors the large family, and calls children the heritage of the Lord. But that bearing of children, and bringing up a holy seed, is not the only service of God in marriage. The Lord, after all, Who guides the life of all and Who regulates all births, is never mistaken. To some He does not give children. That doesn't make their marriage any less holy than another. Holy marriage is the union of joint heirs of the grace of life, a man and a woman who become one and support each other on the journey to heaven. That is why the Form for Marriage, in spelling out the purposes of that holy bond, states that the husband and wife, united in true love, are to faithfully assist the other in all things that belong to this life, and the life to come. Together in the service of God, and in faithfulness one to another, they reflect the mystery which is Christ and the Church. And so Christian marriage, holy wedlock, is the most wonderful institution God has ordained for His people. For the sake of that holy institution, you and I are called unto chaste living.

2. HOW DOES SUCH CHASTE LIVING COME TO EXPRESSION?

IN ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION I CALL YOUR ATTENTION, FIRST OF ALL, TO THE EXHORTATION WHICH WE HEARD IN I CORINTHIANS 6:18: "FLEE FORNICATION."

Adultery and fornication are the two words Scripture uses to refer to sins that trample upon the holy institution of marriage. Adultery generally speaks of a husband or wife breaking with their one-flesh union and entering into an illicit sexual relationship with a third party. And let it be clearly understood, any divorced person who remarries while their first spouse yet lives is guilty of this very sin. Divorce and remarriage is hardly addressed in the churches of our day. In fact, far from holding forth the truth of Scripture, churches now find remarriage of divorced parties acceptable. But even in those cases where divorce was sought and received because of the impenitent adultery of the other spouse, there can be no remarriage. The Lord put it this way in Luke 16:18: "Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery." Notice, no matter how you look at that text, even if there is a so-called innocent party, marriage to another constitutes adultery. I won't develop this point any further this morning. We just recently heard Professor Engelsma speak to this subject in his Reformation lecture in our sanctuary, and I have some time back devoted a sermon to Matthew 19:9. But for the honor of holy marriage, let us be clear on this truth. Adultery in whatever form tramples upon the holy institution of marriage.

But the second word which Scripture uses with reference to sins which violate holy marriage is the word fornication. Fornication is a broad term that embraces all forms of sexual sin. In general use the term has come to refer to unmarried persons entering into the physical intimacy which God has explicitly reserved for the holy bond of marriage. But in fact the term fornication is a translation of the Greek word porneia, the first four letters of which you will recognize as porn. It is the word from which we get the term pornography. But the word porneia comes from a verb which means to prostitute one's body to the lust of another. That is the literal meaning of the term. It speaks of giving one's self over to lust. Therefore the word fornication refers to all forms of sexual sin. When we are told to flee fornication, therefore, we are told to run from every thing that would cause us to trample that most holy institution of God which is marriage.

The Catechism, however, is more explicit in its explanation of what is forbidden by the seventh commandment. "Since both our body and soul are temples of the Holy Ghost, He commands us to preserve them pure and holy; therefore He forbids all unchaste actions, gestures, words, thoughts, desires, and whatever can entice men thereto." Once again the Catechism reminds us that the law of God is more than mere outward letter. It draws out even evil thoughts and desires from their secret hiding places, and sets them with all their filth and evil before the curse of God. The devil would like us to think that these things aren't so bad, and that so long as we limit ourselves to looking at pictures, or touching, but not going all the way, or so long as we only watch others fornicate on television or in the movies, we ourselves are still separated from the sin of adultery. But Scripture minces no words when it tells us that all uncleanness is accursed of God. Everything that is to be confined to the holy fellowship of marriage is to be preserved for that bond. And anything that tears at that holy institution, or makes it to be less than the exclusive bond that it is, is singularly accursed of God. So Paul wrote, as we read in I Corinthians 6:9: "Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate...shall inherit the kingdom of God." "Flee fornication."

We are warned that in our youth we are not to grasp ahead at the privileges of marriage, not by thoughts, nor by gestures, much less by actions. Unchaste actions are any actions which invite lustful thoughts and increase the passion of our sinful flesh. The world understands what these things are. In many cases they design their fashions and layout their advertising and compose their music and write their books and produce their programs and movies with exactly this goal in mind — to fill the lustful pleasures of men and women. But what is so tragic is when we of the church are carried right along with the world! Unchaste actions and gestures often go hand in hand — the wearing of provocative clothing, low-cut tops and short skirts, that draws the eyes of men, and sets their lustful thoughts in motion; the hip-swaying dance to the sensuous rhythms which are often combined with blatantly sexual lyrics. Our Catechism reminds us that when our thoughts are one with God, we must with all our hearts detest these things. And we parents must instruct our sons from Proverbs 5 and 7, and teach our daughters their calling according to I Timothy 2 and I Peter 3, to adorn themselves with modest apparel and those spiritual virtues which mark as beautiful those women who profess godliness.

BUT CHASTE LIVING, THE UPHOLDING OF THE HOLY INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE ALSO MUST COME TO EXPRESSION POSITIVELY.

Marriage must be seen by us and our children as the holy institution that it is. And to that end as married couples we must always stand before the question: Is Christ present in our marriage? Is Christ the focus of our life together? Love, you remember, is the fulfillment of the law. Love walks with Christ. Love obeys Christ. Love reflects the beauty of Christ and His work. Within marriage, therefore, love comes to expression according to the regulation of the Scriptures. And Scripture, as you know, has much to say about our calling with respect to holy marriage. In marriage the husband is to represent Christ Himself as the Head, wisdom, consolation and provider for His Church. There is to be a reflection of Christ's kingly office by the husband. The husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the Head of the Church. That kingship is not the exercise of a dictator or tyrant. But as Christ explained His headship in Luke 22:27, "I am among you as he that serveth." The godly husband also represents Christ's priestly office. So we are to love our wives, as Christ loved His Church, with a priestly love that sacrifices self. This is not a natural love. It is a love sanctified by the Spirit, a love which can only come to expression by living in and out of Christ. The husband is also to reflect the prophetic office of our Savior, instructing his wife, and guiding her in the truth of the Scriptures. On the other hand, the wife is to live in subjection to her husband, not as a slave to her master, but as the church is subject to Christ. Her subjection, therefore, is a subjection that reflects her love for the Lord. And as she also is a partaker of the office of believer, her obedience really becomes a joint subjection to Christ, a yoke which is not heavy and a burden which is light.

And so the life of holy marriage is a life which continually draws two together, and binds them as one with Christ. Love which seeks Christ, love which reveals subjection to the Word of God, consecrates our marriages and our bodies, and causes us to live as ministering servants in that relationship which reflects the mystery of Christ and the Church. Such marriages the youth of the Church can desire and fervently wait upon the Lord for!

3. WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT? WHY DOES GOD FORBID ALL FORNICATION, AND EVEN UNCHASTE ACTIONS AND BEHAVIOR?

THAT IS A MOST PERTINENT QUESTION TO OUR YOUTH.

Why, when all the world, it seems, holds out its open arms to you and says, "Enjoy fornication," should you do precisely the opposite? Why should you, in the flower of your youth, save yourself for marriage? You should do it for God's sake, first of all. You are called to serve Him. You have been marked by Him with the sign of baptism, set apart for a life of holiness. He is to be first in your life. In love for Him you are called unto chaste living. You are also called unto such purity for the sake of your neighbor. The seventh commandment is part of the second table of the law. To violate this commandment is to destroy the neighbor, to bring him or her to hell. It is to steal that which belongs to another, which belongs exclusively to one man or one woman within the state of holy marriage. But you are also called unto such chastity for your own sake. "Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." It is a sin that bears consequences.

The importance of obedience to this calling to maintain the beauty and glory of holy marriage is seen in the fact that the sin against the seventh commandment is uniquely cursed of God. It isn't necessary to emphasize in detail how God's curse burns against those who sin against the seventh commandment. Romans 1 tells us that God giving men over to their own lusts is a sign that His wrath is being poured out upon them. And many God entirely gives over to their sin, until even the depths of depravity are realized in some, women changing the natural use of the body into that which is against nature, and men leaving the natural use of the woman, burning in lust one toward another, "men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet." The Marriage Form says that "whosoever defileth the temple of God, him shall God destroy." And so we are warned that no fornicator, no adulterer, is able to enter into the kingdom of heaven. That is, apart from Christ. There is hope, to be sure. For Paul immediately adds, "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." The unclean cannot possibly feel at home in the pure and holy sphere of heaven. But our cleansing is in Christ.

THE REASON WHY WE MUST LIVE CHASTELY, THEREFORE, IS NOT MERELY TO ESCAPE THE JUDGMENT; BUT IT IS BECAUSE WE BELONG TO CHRIST.

We have been bought with a price. My body is not mine, but the Lord's. Do you believe that? It doesn't belong to me, therefore, to do with as I please and to serve my own desires. But it is His and for Him. And He lives in this body, by His Holy Spirit.

Precious to Him are all His children. Your body is His temple, beloved. Since He is pure, we must be also. "Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

Amen!

Preached: Randolph PRC 11/23/97 (am)   -   Pastor Steven R. Key graduated from the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary in 1986 and was ordained in September of 1986. He was pastor of Southeast Protestant Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, of Randolph Protestant Reformed Church, in Randolph, Wisconsin, and is now emeritus minister of the Protestant Reformed Churches and member of Loveland Protestant Reformed Church in Loveland, Colorado.