God deliberately spoils the enjoyment of whatever I want to do.
I can do whatever I want with my body. I can have sex with whomever and whenever I want.
So goes the thinking…said Dr. John Kleinig in his teaching over the week-end here at Trinity.
You know this and so do I. We hear it all the time and, it is assumed by our culture.
This continual drumbeat invades your ears and the children’s, it takes a toll. Can you even imagine the dear Christians who sit at the feet of the college professors?
They hold the power of academic “wisdom” as well as the threat of getting a good grade.
This power is exercised; don’t be naïve.
The Wisdom from above, Jesus Christ, teaches the opposite. God created Christians to enjoy sex; His creations are sexual beings. He sets the boundaries—marriage itself—which protects His gift of sexuality for people.
Crossing the boundary of marriage causes all kinds of havoc, namely, shame and guilt. The very strong push for public recognition for same-sex marriages arises from a desire to self-justify any pattern of marriage and use of sex different than the Creator’s design. Shame and guilt, however, cannot be covered up by any attempts from our side.
Impure bodies and consciences are only purified by the blood of Christ. “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all unrighteousness,” (1 John 1:7b).
God does a body-makeover (language of Dr. Kleinig from the seminar). The splashing of water and His name spoken causes a re-generation, a new beginning (Titus 3:5), a new life.
The Holy Spirit is given through the Word and Baptism. He teaches that your body is not your own, but God’s holy temple (1 Cor. 6:19-20,) purchased with the blood of Christ. Christ’s very Body touches lips and bodies in the Holy Meal. What gets touched gets purified.
Ordinary water from the faucet cleans dirty hands, but Baptismal water cleans dirty hearts and consciences. God’s Word preached, read in devotions, cleans. Clean hearts mean happy hearts. Happy hearts means happy co-workers.
Happy co-workers shine like the sun to those struggling with shame. “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever,” (Daniel 12:3). And, Jesus’ words, “You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven,” (Matt. 6:14, 16).
God is no killjoy. He is the only source of ongoing joy.
Let your light shine.
“Let me ask you, from where do you get this attitude?”
Pastor Golter is Trinity Lutheran's Senior Pastor
