Billy Graham | Living together isn’t marriage

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DEAR BILLY GRAHAM: My girlfriend and I are living together, but her parents have let it be known they don’t approve “because God doesn’t like it.” What’s the big deal? It’s so common today that I don’t see why anyone should object. — J.K.

DEAR J.K.: Your girlfriend’s parents may seem old-fashioned, and I realize that may make you dismiss what they say. But they have good reasons for their disapproval, and I hope you’ll consider them.

What they say is true: God does not approve of sexual relations outside of the vow of marriage. In fact, the Bible teaches us that “The body is not meant for sexual immorality” and commands us to “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:13,18). Sexual immorality was even more common in the first century than it is today — but that didn’t change God’s command.

But why did God put the “fence” of marriage around his gift of sex? One reason is because God meant for it to be a sign of commitment — the commitment of a husband and wife to each other.

There is a larger issue, however, that I hope you’ll face — and that is the place God should have in your life. Right now you are living only for yourself. But God created you, and he loves you and wants you to know him personally.

Posted on Mon, Nov. 02, 2009 10:15 PM

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