The Giver and Gift

When I was a boy, I heard a story from a classmate that appalled me.  While it was still dark on Christmas day, my classmate's younger brother, about 4 years old, opened up all the gifts that were wrapped under the Christmas tree.  His parents awakened to find the living room completely littered with paper.  This act of sabotage prevented the joy of both giver and receiver of the gifts.  So what did they do?  The parents promptly sent the boy to his room under a vow of secrecy and re-wrapped all the presents so they could properly exchange gifts all together.  This was one of the unwritten rules of Christmas for children:  never open a gift unless it is yours and you are given permission by your parents to do so.  I shuddered to think of the consequences I would have faced for such a brazen transgression.

Because the boy who opened the presents was very young, it is likely he did not fully understand the unwritten rule.  Maybe due to immaturity he lacked self-control.  If he was malicious in tearing up all the wrapping paper out of rebellion, spite or anger,  I suspect the consequences would have been more dire.  This situation with opening presents before the giver gives permission recently came to mind as an illustration of what fornication (sex outside of marriage) is like before God.  People who know God has provided sex to be enjoyed solely within a marriage relationship can choose to open this gift before the appropriate time.  People who would never dream of being so rude to open birthday or Christmas presents early may not think twice before transgressing before God in the area of sex before marriage.  1 Corinthians 6:18 reads, "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body."

There is a difference between opening presents early and choosing to give away your virginity before marriage, for sin committed cannot be undone or taken back.  But for those who are born again followers of Jesus Christ, all sin can be repented of, forgiven by God and forsaken!  I exhort those who have sinned in the passed or presently engaged in ongoing sexual activity before marriage to do what the parents of the boy did:  re-wrap the gifts, and wait for the appropriate time after marriage.  God has given people the gift of sex to enjoy in marriage, and we can honour him by waiting to receive that gift from His hand.  Give Him the pleasure of acknowledging we appreciate Him and all He has provided in a spouse and the physical intimacy He has designed.  We thank Him by choosing to wait fox sex until He joins us as one flesh in marriage.

God is not a God of second chances but new beginnings.  Rather than lamenting over bad decisions that cannot be taken back, we can rejoice with every new opportunity God gives us by His grace to honour Him by doing what pleases Him today and going forward.  May we honour God who gives us all that pertains to life and godliness more than His gifts.