I was wondering....
 

I just wanted to know various thoughts about what I am thinking. I've asked others about what I'm going to say and they thought it was a joke, but I'm trying to get serious feedback.

I am a catholic and in accordance with my beliefs I am a virgin. Now, it's stated that sex before marriage(pre-marital sex) is a sin. What if someone wasn't going to get married? There are people in the world who aren't married, just because it wasn't for them or for other reasons. So, the sex really cannot be called pre-marital and shouldn't be a sinful act. Do you think that we were all made to get/supposed to be married? If not, is one sinning by having sex?

I just wanted to know what people of other faiths believe and what they think about this.

Actually, I think this is a joke too. But since I am sitting here at work with nothing to do, I am going to respond.

I have never seen the words pre-marital sex in scripture. I have seen the words adultery and fornication. Webster's dictionary defines adultery as: violation of the marriage vows and fornication as: sexual intercourse between unmarried persons. So if unmarried persons are having sex (fornicating), then they must be sinning, according to Christian beliefs anyway.

As far as your second question, no we are not all supposed to be married. The Bible says it is good not to marry. I don't have a bible here with me at work so I can't pinpoint the exact scripture for you. Maybe someone else will find it for me. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by MIDWESTDIVA (edited November 30, 2000).]

I agree totally with MWDiva.

I think you're right Midwestdiva, but it's not God saying that it's best not to marry, it's paul. I think it would be found in Timothy. There he states that in his opinion, we should stay single because married life takes the focus away from God and places it on the spouse. He also states that a woman is either a virgin or she is married, meaning you are not a virgin because you haven't had sex, it is because you are unmarried. And, somewhere in between all that is where you will find your answer about sex before marriage.

Paul makes vague comments about men marring because he cant be faithful to just one girl. That may seem backward, but in those times adultry was against the law and it was strictly inforced.

I'll stop here before the bible scholars rip me to shreds. Just saw your post and had to add my 2 cents.

Thank you Serenity_24. I always thought that Paul was saying that men should marry if their sexual urges were too much for them to handle. And they were having a hard time remaining virgins themselves. Men are supposed to be virgins too, ya know.

A thought just occurred to me. Do you suppose that the reason the Bible is so difficult to understand has anything to do with the fact that women didn't do any of the writing? I tend to think that if a woman had written some of the books of the bible it would all be crystal clear. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif LOL

[This message has been edited by MIDWESTDIVA (edited November 30, 2000).]

Amen!!!!!

I thought that women could not read or write-at least they were not suppose to. If this is so, then the Bible were simply letters written by men to men. I stand to be corrected.

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You are the master of your own destiny!

The scriptural reference that was mentioned is: I Corinthians 7. I would highly recommend a review of this chapter for anyone interested in the topics of marriage, divorce, and singleness.

I Corinthians 7: 8-9 (NIV)reads: Now to the unmarried and the widow I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Your singleness is important to God. For when you are single, your attention can be solely on the Lord and fellowship with him. It is important for single women (myself included) to remember that in the divine order of things, God must be first. Why? Because His name is Jealous (Exodus 34:14).

When you are able to have an intimate relationship with the Father, and submit to Him, then you will be positioned to bear the fruit of the Spirit--including love (Galations 5:22), and will be more able to willingly submit (Ephesians 5: 22) to your earthly authorities.

Check out the Word of God on the unmarried:
"I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife---and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way to undivided devotion to the Lord." (I Corinthians 7: 32-35)

Now, what the apostle, Paul, was talking about here isn't about choosing one lifestyle (being married or single) over another. What he is saying is that there is a right order. The right order is God first....and remember that in Matthew 6:33, it is written "Seek ye first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." What are "these things"? They are all other desires of your heart. Put God first. Allow Him to order your life.

Remember, as a believer, you are to be holy. In Colossians 3: 2-6 it says: " Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God....Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your eartly nature: sexual immortality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming...[so you must be rid of such things and] put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator" God really wants you to be a woman/man in relationship with Him first. That's why He wants you to be holy, and have your mind focused on Him. When you do that (through reading His Holy Word), and remain submitted to God in prayer, then you will understand the answers to the questions you've posed.

Allow God to become your first love. Why? Because He loved you first. (I John 4:19). Once you do that, you'll be blessed in "all things" beyond belief.



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I will bless the Lord at ALL times His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalms 34:1, KJV)

[This message has been edited by nikki25 (edited December 01, 2000).]

Nikki25,

What do you think about the distinction Paul made between being MARRIED and being a VIRGIN?

How do you think it changes the way we should view the meaning of "virginity"?