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During
the 1960's and 1970's parents were particularly cautious to ensure that
their daughters did not engage in sex before marriage. This message did
not seem to apply equally to their sons. This difference and inconsistency
in standards is peculiar. Today, if what is heard is to be believed, young
people of both sexes are engaging in casual sex and sexual relationships
outside of marriage. Sex outside marriage is considered a serious sin
in the Orthodox Church. A pure and virgin state is essential for both
males and females before marriage. Today, sexual freedom appears to be
accepted by some with little regard to what the Church has to say on this
matter. Married persons who indulge in sexual activity outside the blessed
marriage also commit a serious sin. If someone is not Orthodox and does
not wish to practice the faith then what can we say to these people who
willingly or through ignorance continue to live in darkness. But for those
who have been Baptised Orthodox who hear the word of God and continue
to pursue this sinful path then there is a grave danger of the loss of
their soul unless they repent. The precondition for repentance is a heart
felt sorrow which pierces every aspect of a person's being. It is a sorrow
of great magnitude with the realisation or living contrary to the Will
of God.
St. Paul said to the Corinthians, "godly sorrow produces repentance
leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world
produces death". We must let go of our passions which tie us to short
lived earthly pleasures and the destruction of the soul and replace these
with a longing for all that is good and heavenly in order to enter into
the Kingdom of Heaven.
What St. Paul has
to say
"For this is the Will of God, your sanctification: that you
should abstain from sexual immorality: that each of you should know how
to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honour..." (1 Thess.
4:3).
Remember that Baptism joins us with Christ. As is chanted in our
Church during the Baptismal and Chrismation service in the words of St.
Paul "As many as have been Baptised in Christ have put on Christ"
(Gal. 3:27).
As our body has been joined with Christ we are one with Him. Our
body houses the Holy Spirit.
To the Corinthians St. Paul writes "Now the body is not for
sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body" (1
Corinth 6:13).
"Flee from sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is
outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his
own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy
Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?"
(1 Corinth. 6:18).
Parents from a very young age instruct your children by your good
example in regard to these matters. Ensure that virginity is highly valued
and preserved so that the Marriage is blessed as a Holy Institution from
which the fruits in turn continue to hear the word of God in an unbroken
chain of living Truth as is the Church.
Wherever we fall short, let us be filled with sorrow and seek the
forgiveness and mercy of our Lord.
from The Orthodox Messenger,
Sept/Oct 1998, v9, No. 9-10
published bi-monthly by the SA Central Youth
PO Box 269, GLENELG SA 5045 AUSTRALIA
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