Maybe Dan was right.
People do mess around a lot, more than I realized, at least. And the people I'm referring to are people within fellowships, not people outside of them.
We all put on this mask. We're holy people, we have holy bodies, that we don't curse because it's wrong, and we don't wear revealing clothing because it's bad. We don't buy nice clothes, because it's materialistic.
Man, we seem holy don't we? With our hands raised up, everyone has a smile on. During prayer requests, the requests are vague and hackneyed. "I...have these desires."
We're no different from the people outside of the fellowship. What, you think you're wired differently? No, let's be honest, you're curious about sex. You're curious about these..desires.
When we hold these things in secret because we are too ashamed to reveal them to such a "holy fellowship," we do two things.
First, we continue to feed this wishful thinking that we're all holy and blameless people. That God has changed us and we no longer sin. This only results in more and more people afraid to reveal their insecurities and inequities, continuing to foster this fake image that the fellowship holds.
Second, you allow this sin power. Make it known: the desire for sex is not one from the Devil. The Devil has never been able to create pleasure. If you think sex is bad, immature, and shady now, how will you deal with marriage? Do you think suddenly all those things will become washed away? Do you think suddenly someone gains infinite wisdom when they turn 21, and then are okay to drink? Or will we still hold on to those thoughts that drinking is bad. Jesus drank at parties, do not forget.
By thinking these things, you give sin power. You forget that Jesus has conquered over sin, and rendered it powerless! Unashamed, what does that mean? Not unashamed because you have nothing to hide, because you are sinless. No. You are shamed when you have consequences. But the consequences have been taken care of, if the Spirit of Christ truly dwells within you! You are white as snow, because Christ's blood and NOTHING of your own actions.
All the hand raising you did that Friday night, all the passionate fire, all the resisting temptation...sure, they may have reaffirmed your faith, but Jesus has taken a fire to your guilt. The only guilt that remains is your perceived guilt.
It's a mind game, really. Thank you, God, for Bob guys and finally taking a huge hack at what I have been hiding for such a long time. I wonder how many people I know back in Delaware have been holding back their past regrets.
