The heart sees what the eyes can't

"But if the physical or personal is entirely (or mainly) what attracts you and these are your highest priorities, then your problem is not with the women around you. Your problem is with God. The more you are in love with the beauty of Jesus Christ, the more you will be attracted to what you see of Him in the woman you're dating and the more important it will be to you. The less you love Him, the more important other things about her will become, things like her figure or style."

Boundless

The article at Boundless was directed towards guys. However, I have long since had similar thoughts about physical attraction. It isn't that we shouldn't be attracted to someone. God designed us to be attracted and attractive to others. It is whether we are seeing with Godly eyes or allowing our physical reactions to propel our desires.

I have a friend who is engaged. I love her to death, but recently I challenged her to consider whether her fiancée was the right man for her. He is a good guy there is no disputing. However, I had to ask her if he was the right man to be the spiritual leader of her home and the future father of her children. Her hesitancy was strong. Their relationship has been a roller coaster and I believe she thinks the ride has smoothed out. I'm worried for her though because married life isn't easy even if God is present. My fear for her is she is approaching her marriage like a rom-com. 90 minutes to a happily ever after.

EC, NEC, EC, EC, NEC, EC

Every spring in high school we headed to New York to compete in student competition. We competed in academics, arts, and athletics -AAA. It was New Englanders competing against each other until the final night when New England competed against New York. It was the best New England had to offer versus the best New York had to offer.

Junior year one of my good friends and I decided awards shouldn't be given based on AAA. We graded all the guys as Exceptionally Cute (EC) or Not Exceptionally Cute (NEC). We entertained ourselves for over an hour generously handing out ECs while sprinkling in the occasional NECs.

The truth is God gave us eyes and an appreciation for beauty. If God didn't want us to recognize beauty we would have been created blind or God would have avoided creating anything of visual significance.

There are many things in this world - including guys - I would label EC. However if I can't find the EC in everything I may be blind.

Do you not get horny?

Nearly twenty years ago one of my best friends asked me if I never got horny. The breakdown of the conversation is she thought because I was a pastor's daughter I was immune to sexual temptation.

With the SCOTUS ruling allowing homosexual marriage in all fifty states, the conversation floated through my memory. I remember thinking twenty years ago "if only being a pastor's kid made me immune to the temptations of sin."

Before we continue there are a few things we need to establish from Scripture.

• We are all sinners. Romans 3:23
• Death is the consequence of our sin Romans 6:23
• Our sins keep us separated from God. Isaiah 59:2
• Jesus died to cover our sins John 14:6 
• Through grace and Jesus' sacrifice we are covered Romans 3:25 Colossians 1:22
• Love wins John 3:16

Why did a twenty year old conversation come to mind with SCOTUS' ruling? Because as a Christian it would be easier if I was immune to sin. I've watched social media implode as triumphant posts have clashed with condemnation. 

The Bible tells me the following are sins:

• homosexuality I Corinthians 6:9
• idolatry I Corinthians 6:9
• adultery I Corinthians 6:9
• theft/stealing I Corinthians 6:10
• greed I Corinthians 6:10
• being drunk I Corinthians 6:10
• slandering I Corinthians 6:10
• murder and a few more Exodus 20
• a bunch of other covered in Ephesians 5

Am I pleased with the direction SCOTUS chose? No. I believe we are succumbing to the temporary pleasures given by sin and ignoring the eternal promises of God. However, before I hop on Facebook or Twitter and condemn my homosexual friends and their supporters in their revelry. I took a breath and thought about how Jesus would address his friends if He'd been walking the Earth today.

Homosexuality is a sin. Lying is a sin. Stealing is a sin. Slander is a sin. Every Sunday we have Christians in our churches who have committed sin. Christians are just good at covering up the lifestyle sins and committing those which aren't as public. Christians are notorious for slander and bitterness. Every Sunday a seat is warmed by someone with an unnecessary amount of hate in their heart. They serve on the Board and teach Sunday School. They lie and place blame. They skew facts in their favor. . 

All sin keeps us from God. It is part of our human nature to quantify most aspects of our lives. Texas has made it their states motto "everything is bigger in Texas." We measure success, height, weight, looks, etc, against others. It is the geometry effect. If a>b and b>c then a>c. Our minds are constantly determining where we fall in the totem pole of life. Christ didn't die with a finite amount of grace with which to bestow on us. We aren't limited in the sins we can commit and be forgiven for. 

Christ died for all sins. He died that all may come to a relationship with God through Him. The reality is not all will receive the gift of  His grace. Many will pursue temporary pleasures because it is easier than eternal salvation. 

It isn't our place to judge others. God tells us to leave it to Him. Luke 6:37 Matthew 7 Romans 14  

Christians aren't perfect. They have acknowledged their need for God. They have accepted the gift of grace. They are still tempted. Most Christians sin on a daily basis. Sin is our default state. The Bible tells us we will be tempted, but God gives us the strength to overcome. I Corinthians 10:13 For those times we don't overcome temptation, God has poured out His grace to us. 

I adore all my friends - the liars, the cheaters, the slanderers, the homosexuals, the sexually immoral. I need Christ's grace as much as they do because it doesn't matter I'm a pastor's daughter. I lust when I see a good-looking guy. I gossip. I get angry. I have thoughts I would be ashamed to voice. I'm as human as the next person. I need Christ just as badly as anyone else.