The other day I bought a ring. No, not THAT kinda ring, but a promise ring. Well, actually, the ring itself isn't anything special. It's a simple silver band with nothing on it yet. Later on, i'm going to get the ring engraved with Psalm 119:1-17. I did have that portion of scripture memorized from school, but i have since forgotten it.
The Reason being....
The reason being that i got this ring is symbolic. Many people my age and far younger don't really have any idea what a commitment means. Especially a commitment to sexual purity. This ring symbolizes my commitment to staying sexually pure (meaning no sex outside of marriage) before I get married. I'm 24 years old and have never even so much as had a girlfriend yet! Can you believe that. Much less been with any girl in a sexually immoral way. And i plan on keeping that promise until i get married.
For those who say it couldn't be done, without the grace of God, i might imagine how that could be true. But with the Grace of God, it will be accomplished. My life will be a prophetic rebuke to the secular world! I don't even have to say anything and people already are mad at me.
I was talking to a young lady at work sometime ago and mentioned that I was 24 and never had sex yet. Meaning that i was still a virgin! She was quite amazed. People all over flaunt their sexual immorality, so i'll flaunt my sexual morality!
I must say, it is quite disgusting at the low morality level I've seen at many churches. I was at a youth conference sometime ago and they made an announcement at the beginning to the girls to keep the standard high. I thought "this is amazing.. at a place where people are going after God in exceptional ways, and they still have to make this announcement!" To make matters even worse, some time after that, i got into somewhat of a heated debate with one of the girls in our group. However, since we were in a group setting, I decided not to get into that discussion with her. It wasn't going to do any good for anyone.
Exscuses exscuses... (in a Christian/Church atmosphere)
1. "I didn't have a good childhood." Sometimes, this is somewhat legitimate. Ok, so perhaps you weren't raised in the greatest upbringing. Ok, are you willing to be worked w/? If yes, great, we'll work with you. If no... there's not really a whole lot more we can say then.
2. "You don't understand what I've been through." Your right, I don't. And perhaps I don't care to know what you've been through. But I do know someone who does know. And if you'll surrender to Jesus, He'll heal you.
3."Your self-righteous!" Give me a break! Do you have any idea how hard it is for someone to correct someone else?! (This might be possible depending on how the situation is progressing. Such as if someone decides to correct someone in front of everyone else just to shame the one guilty. Especially if its a guy saying something to a girl... i'd suggest the guy tell a female leader about the issue and see if the issue can be resolved in private.
i'm sure that there are a lot of other reasons to be given. All these i'm describing are issues that I've either experienced myself or heard of. And thats just in the church! We should be leading, not trying to make exscuses for behavior! We live by Kingdom standards (Biblical world view). And yes, i'm preaching to myself here. As always.
The reason i say this is because i have a love and concern for people. I could mention names, but I don't. I want to respect privacy and identities. I'm not doing this to bring others down and boost myself. That gets nothing accomplished.
I have a desire to see the Body of Christ (The Church) rise up and take lead. Not be a weakling and a laughingstock.
It felt to get much of this off my shoulders. I can't wait to hear back from people.
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3 comments:
so proud of you for stand and the defense of it. just recently saw on GMA about the idea of purity balls where fathers take their daughters to a prom like event where they have a ceremony and actually sign a contract of their promise of purity until marriage. Jesus bring him a girl like that!The opposing side kept labeling it as weird and sheltered. well we should be noticable people and if weird to the world is our "Scarlet Letter" than make it big and ornate and we will wear it with pride.
i recently got into a conversation w/ a couple girls at work. they noticed the ring and asked if i was married. i responded about the purity idea and they were really touched. i think it made them feel safer around me b/c now they know that i stand for something more and to protect them.. not just get to know them to abuse, but to protect.
i recently got into a conversation w/ a couple girls at work. they noticed the ring and asked if i was married. i responded about the purity idea and they were really touched. i think it made them feel safer around me b/c now they know that i stand for something more and to protect them.. not just get to know them to abuse, but to protect.
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