Wednesday, October 20, 2004
As I was checking out of my hotel, my host said, "Ron, did you turn in your key?" I was sure he had been talking to my wife. See, she's the one who gets to mail all those keys back. I've been known to own a hotel key collection. You know, everybody needs a hobby - right? Some people collect stamps, some collect coins - you get the idea. It's not really my intention to walk off with hotel keys, but all too often I end up taking what I never meant to take, and I didn't even know I was taking it.
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Four-Way Theft."
Our word for today from the Word of God comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:3; some revealing words for people who are living in a sex-saturated culture. Let's face it, it's everywhere. And here is some insight from the inventor of sex on the invisible tragedy that takes place when people have sex premaritally or extramaritally. Here's what He says. "It is God's will that you should be sanctified, that you should avoid sexual immorality. Each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable. Not in passionate lust like the heathen who do not know God. And in this matter, none should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins."
Notice here it says first of all that it's God's will that we keep pure. This is a destiny thing we're dealing with. God says, "I want you to be sanctified," which means kept special - not diminished by sex with anyone but your lifetime partner. He says the way to do that is to "avoid sexual immorality." In other words, don't be anywhere near where you could mess this up. And then he says you do it by controlling your own body. Don't let your body, don't let your mind get to a point where your passions are controlling you. Then there's this sudden tack about not wronging or taking advantage of your brother. What's this about? Well, obviously there's a third person being hurt when two people are physically involved outside of marriage. What's happening is really four-way theft.
First, sex outside of marriage boundaries hurts you, and then it hurts your partner. You're robbing yourselves of the enjoyment of sex that is guilt free and regret free and judgment free inside marriage. This unique love gift is no longer unique because you've given it to someone else, which in turn robs two other people - both your future partners, or both of your present partners if you're married.
Four-way theft: four people, two of them innocent parties, lose what could be so special because someone couldn't control their hormones. In reality it's utter selfishness, probably masquerading in the name of love. It's like my key problem. You may not know what you're taking. You may not even mean to be taking it, but it's gone and it's not easy to return what you have taken.
If you are in the middle of a sexual relationship with anyone other than your marriage partner, whether it's your present or future partner, take this program as a warning from God. He loves you. He stands ready to forgive you if you'll honestly repent at the cross of Jesus. In fact, He died for that very sin - one that He wants to forgive you of so you can be clean and know Him personally.
In fact, I want to send you a booklet about how you can be totally clean. It's called Yours For Life, if you'll just let me know you want it. He'll strengthen you as you face whatever fall-out there will be. If you're on the edge of a sexual mistake or just flirting with fantasies, run from it now! The bill lasts much longer than the thrill. Sexual sin is four-way robbery. It costs so many people, so very much.