Therefore a man shall leave, hold fast to his wife and the two shall become one flesh (3 of 3)

I am very aware this morning, that what I need to say is out of sync with most of the world. However, In accordance with the importance of the Biblical principle of the importance of first mention, we see here in Genesis 2:24 (a) God’s intended partner for our sexuality (his wife), (b) the intended time for the opening of the gift (you leave, you hold fast only then do you become one flesh) and (c) the intended place (the safety of the marriage bed).

An unbelieving musician friend of mine told me years ago, that to get any of the above three things out of sync was akin to the symbols being played in the wrong place in a symphony. The symbols are only appropriate as the music builds to a crescendo. I thought it was quite an insight! In particular in an age of instant gratification, we have lost the value of delayed gratification, of periods of longing, of the joy of anticipation and hence of the deeper appreciation of the gift that these things bring when opened in the right setting, God's intended setting. In addition, every time we make and break such a union, we weaken the intended bonding mechanism of this incredible gift. As a result, we have debased, devalued and twisted the precious gift of sexuality. I and many others have learned the hard way that when God says “no,” He does it for our provision, and our protection. We cannot go against His laws without consequences!

There is a tendency to think of the phrase “becoming one flesh,” as being restricted to the physical act. But whether we acknowledge it or not, we are made in the image of God, and for better or worse, sexual union unites us in body soul and spirit. In other words in all sexual unions, in all three of these areas of our being, something is taken and and something received from the other person (see 1 Corinthians 6:16). When this is outside of God’s intention for us (i.e. outside of marriage), such unions are described in Christian circles as ungodly soul ties. And part of the process of becoming whole, is to confess and forsake such unions, and in prayer give back what was taken, and take back what was given.

Father, increasingly our culture is believing the lie that we can jump in and out of bed with others without consequences. And it’s happening even in the church! Wake us up Lord. Thank You Lord for redemption, thank You that with You we can start over again even when we have so completely blown it. Even so Lord as I know full well, consequences remain, and I need Your help to continue to work through the wreckage of my sinful past. Thank You that I know that You who have begun a good work in me will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6), and I give You all the honour and glory and praise this morning in Jesus Name Amen