Masturbation and the Christian

Solo Sex Doesn't Fit The Biblical Pattern

Considering masturbation specifically, two things must be at the forefront: (1) because of our image-bearing, the Bible teaches sexual activity is reserved for marriage. It’s designed to be inherently relational, an aspect of deep knowing and intimacy with another, providing a context for the bearing and rearing of children. (2) In that context, the goal is giving wholly to the other, providing pleasure and joy in the deepest act of mutual vulnerability. This is particularly clear from 1 Corinthians 7:1–5, the only “how to” passage in the Bible prescribing sexual activity.

God designed sexuality to be like every other aspect of the Christian life: turning away from selfish desires to honor God with my body and use it to serve another. Sex in marriage should reflect the New Testament ethic in general. Describing discipleship, Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 ESV). Much more than a proof text for the atonement, this is the culmination of Jesus’ teaching on what it means to follow Him.

Multiple passages proclaim the Christian life is freedom from living for self. We live foremost for Christ and secondarily to love and bless others (see Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:14–15; Phil. 2:3–4; 1 Pet. 4:1–5). Jesus promises only when we live according to this pattern do we truly find life. (All four Gospels include this teaching. See Matt. 10:39; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; and John 12:25.) Living for “self” guarantees that true life and peace will elude us. This is particularly true of our sexuality. Ephesians 4:17–19 gives a chilling assessment that living for our own sexual desires signifies a “turning away” from God, leading to ever-increasing depravity and sexual insatiability.

Read more at equip.org.

An Amazing Story of Forgiveness

A senior beaten and thrown down a flight of stairs before her home was set on fire says her attacker was also her rescuer, and she forgives him.

In an interview with Postmedia from her hospital room on Tuesday, Dora Campbell, 72, says a man assaulted her and her granddaughter at her home near 121 Avenue and 102 Street last Saturday. The attack left her with a broken hip, cuts and bruises on her face, and her home destroyed.

Can Christians Be Depressed?

"Depression has a long history of being misunderstood, both by the larger culture and, unfortunately, by the church. For many of us, shame and stigma can cause us to keep our struggles with mental health issues hidden from our friends, our church communities, and even from God himself.

In the Bible there are examples of people being discouraged—Elijah, Job, David. Would you say that they were depressed? To summarize, my question is: How can Christians be chronically depressed? Is there a Biblical explanation for this?”

Listen to the podcast at RZIM.org

Freedom and Liberty

Like everyone else, I want to be able to provide for my family, have a prosperous life and security. Freedom is subjective. It depends on experience and everyone has their opinion about it. I trust in God, not the government. I fear God, not people. So freedom is not in the hands of the government in my opinion. And God has put every ruler in place, it wasn't done by themselves. I'm not concerned with freedoms. The government isn't concerned about me. I'm not gonna retaliate and try to bring it down. God put it there and I must be wise.

Can you condemn something evil if God is using it for good?

Neutral Morality

700th Post! God's Sovereignty Pulls You Out of Regret

Celebrity Death and the Meaning of Life

Equip.org

In a culture permeated with celebrity fascination, the sudden loss of such an individual instantly impacts millions. The reality of our need to cope with death speaks to our knowledge that some day we, too, will die. However, celebrity deaths can present us with opportunities to discuss a variety of significant topics with non-Christians tactfully—topics such as the meaning of life, what happens to us when we die, what we can know about death, and biblical views of death. This is a tremendous opportunity to share Christian truths with others, especially since it is common under normal circumstances to avoid any discussion of mortality, death, and what awaits us.

Read more at Equip.org