Dating, Relationships, Sex, & Christianity‏

One of the more challenging parts of being a Christian is having, and keeping a righteous relationship. For me, I can say that’s the hardest part. I’m a firm believer in practicing what you preach, so a large part of me really didn’t feel I should even write this message to you, mainly because I don’t always follow what is right. How selfish of me though. Why would I feel I was in sin if I didn’t know what was right? I believe I do though, and as with all my previous devotionals, I refuse to let my feelings and sins get in the way of your path to righteousness. You have a right to know, and know you will…

Relationships for Christians are very different from the everyday couplings of the world. Things like abstinence come into play mainly. I’m really no expert when it comes to Christian relationships, but I speak from experience when I say they are no easy task, especially when both sides aren’t Christian. We as individuals are shown love and intimacy in movies and books and all throughout entertainment, and like everything else the world has to offer, we are drawn to that and in turn want it for ourselves. The world claims many weak minded people because of this. I’ve talked with many of my close friends about this, and they’ve felt that because they’re so deep in these types of sin and can’t find their way to the light, they feel God may never accept them. I can understand how they feel, I’ve messed up plenty of times and never once felt God turned his back on me, or ever would.

Amidst all this though, I’ve chosen to hold off on working on a relationship until after I graduate because of the degree of seriousness involved in keeping a healthy and righteous relationship. With that said, I can’t really speak on relationships from a more direct standpoint, but those I have had prior to this decision weren’t close to the example I’d like to be able to set one day. The righteous pick themselves up and learn from their mistakes though, as I am doing now.

The easiest ways to fight temptation are to catch it early and avoid it. Once you’ve fallen victim to it, it takes a very strong-minded spirit and supernatural help to unbind those unholy desires – those being words of wisdom I can actually stand behind.

To my young readers, this final message is very important. Do not give in to what the world tells you or leads you to believe. Please! I was told time and time again, and refused to listen. I found out for myself that saving yourself for marriage is so worth the wait. Truly, if you listen to nothing I say listen when I tell you this: You are not missing out on anything, and it will be nothing you expect if you don’t wait till the right time. For those who feel you’ve already messed up, it’s never too late to save yourself again! Don’t feel like it’s over for you. We serve a very forgiving God. As long as you’re willing to pick up the pieces and press forward, success isn’t far off for us!

- C.j.