Share My Life With Others - Chastity

     "Healthy chastity is rooted in a deep acceptance of, respect for, and protection of the glorious body God has given me and all other human beings.  Chaste behavior cultivates sexual purity and nourishes trust." - Spiritual Disciplines Handbook

     Chastity isn't virginity.  Don't get them confused.  Virginity is a once and gone kind of deal, but chastity isn't.  This discipline is all about your body and the bodies of others, but it goes way beyond sex.  It goes to the point where you never do anything to disrespect your own body, or disrespect the bodies of others.  The discipline of chastity demands a very high level of commitment, and can be one of the hardest disciplines to practice.  Our culture tells us everywhere we turn that sex is what to look for, that we should have it as early as we can.  Maybe they don't come right out and say it, but through tv, music, and other media, that really is the message.

     Jesus (obviously, as usual) had it all together.  Throughout his ministry, he went through the same temptations, appetites, drives, and hormonal impulses that every man goes through, but he never once let them control him.  Yes, he was God, but he was ALSO human.  He had many intimate relationships with men and women, but never once did he do anything that disrespected his body or the bodies of others.  He was able to go to parties with prostitutes, and have them wash and/or massage his feet because he had total control of his body.

     Jesus wasn't innocent.  Wait, what?  Just hold on... Jesus was pure.  Purity is not the same as innocence, because innocence is the absence of testing.  When a person is tested and perseveres, that is where purity is produced.  This means that purity is not lost, and no matter what the past, purity is always an option.  It is captured with every decision that honors both your body and the bodies of others.  Return to God and ask the Holy Spirit for change; that is the first step to regaining purity.  With this help, there is always an option of purity for those who are willing to stand and fight for chastity.  When you fight and persevere, you are made new in purity.

"You, my brothers were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Galatians 5:13