The social norms making their way out of our current culture are evidently "YOLO, just do it, you do you" and the like. These broad spectrum sayings ironically all say the same thing. They all evidence a forum of thinking in which humanity is living for itself. The underlying theme is greed, which is manifested at nearly every corner in our capitalistic society.
This greed, originally shown for materialism, makes its way into relationships if not held in check. By the time teenagers graduate from high school, 50% have had premarital sex. While the "why" looks different for each person, the disorientation of our hearts remain the same. In the New Testament, Paul warns us of this very nature.
We are sinners, living in a fallen world. Human beings make it two chapters in harmony with the Lord before the world is a fallen place (Genesis 3). The Lord goes so far as to call it "cursed", warning Adam we will toil all the rest of our days (Genesis 3:17). Guilt and shame have entered earth and any harmony that once exists is no longer. It was for selfish pleasure that Eve first ate of the fruit. In Genesis 3:1-5, we learn in her interaction with the serpent prior to taking fruit from the tree that she knew the Lord had forbid anyone to eat of it. Out of disobedience, she chose for her own pleasure what would result in natural consequences and as a result sin enters the world.
The Lord calls followers of Christ into abstinence prior to making marital covenants. The marriage covenant, as it exists, is God's representation to us of Christ pursuing His bride. Paul writes in Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship." Paul goes on to tell the church at Corinth, while its people were in the midst of pagan worship, to "flee from sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18).
The living word is relevant and evident all over our society today. Most everyone knows at least one person by the time they graduate high school who has had sex, or is the person having sex. God would not write down, or choose to have others write down for Him these words if they were not going to continually be important. Our bodies serve as "temples of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19). When we sin against our bodies, we sin against God's. However, God's voice goes vastly unheard as society gets louder and the church is marginalized.
The idea of waiting is antiquated, but it shouldn't be. It should be viewed exactly as God views it: as soul-love. Soul-love is something more than physical. Soul-love works because it is built on mutual submission and respect. In the proper context of marriage, where safety is involved, and a covenant has been established with the Lord, it is not something to be taken lightly, but that's what makes the point of purity beautiful. What's most worth waiting for is what God makes most beautiful to us and for us.
Not only as Christian women are we able to honor the Lord and our physical bodies, we are also able to honor our future spouses and each other. At some point, we are dating a man someone has dated before us. Our view on dating that man and how we treat him should be first and foremost for the Lord. We should honor his body the way we expect him to honor ours. If he's worth it, he'll be on board, waiting with you, because he values YOU more than he values your body.
Your purity is a gift and when in the context of marriage, to be given to the right person, is precious. The Lord desires your purity for you, so desire it for yourself! Society might tell you it is wrong, but God and your future husband will thank you. Whose opinion is more important?
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