We have been looking in recent weeks at how a Christian’s righteousness can surpass that of the Pharisees (Matt 5:20). Last week’s sermon passage showed us a community where sex was not misused, and women were not degraded to little more than display objects. So how is this achieved?
Step 1 is to determine what we’re looking for in that sin. While sex can be misused to meet all four primary motivators in life (comfort, acceptance, security and power), the two most common ones are power and acceptance. Some males will sleep with women to show they have the power to attract beautiful women, while some women use their sexuality as a way to control men. Alternatively, some men feel accepted when a woman deems them worthy to have sex with, while some women will give sex so the man will accept them.
Step 2 is to show how sex cannot give us true and lasting power or acceptance; for that is not what it was designed for. While each sexual encounter may give us a short burst of satisfaction, like a narcotic, it doesn’t last. Furthermore, when we run up against a rejection, it highlights our powerlessness, or makes us feel unworthy.
Step 3 is to then remind ourselves how the gospel alone can offer true and lasting satisfaction. To begin with, the gospel declares that the creator of the universe accepts you unconditionally, regardless of looks, power, abilities, or even how much you’ve sinned. Those in Christ are looked upon as perfectly righteous and deeply loved. Furthermore, the gospel declares that Christians have the Holy Spirit living inside them; who is infinitely more powerful than any sexual encounter. May the gospel continue to speak against our lust, so our righteousness abounds.
Brendan McLaughlin
