Naked and Without ShameBy Sarah Walker
And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.Genesis 2:25 (ESV)
Naked and without shame. This is how we were designed to live.
Yes, we were designed to be naked and without shame before our spouse and before our God. But when sin entered the picture everything changed. Nakedness and shame have seemed to go together ever since.
We live in a world where sex is often either seen as a power play or as immoral. Rarely is sexual intimacy viewed as a sacred gift; a gift bestowed on us by the very One who created us. A gift that is so precious, so personal, that God has given us instructions on how best to open and use it. Not to condemn us or constrain us. Not to keep us from having fun. Rather, the instructions are there so that we can fully utilize and appreciate the gift. Within the confines of a committed marriage between one man and one woman, God has gifted us the liberty to fully use and appreciate this gift without shame or guilt.
Sexual intimacy is not a card to be played in order to get what we want. Neither is it something nasty or disgraceful. It is a sacred gift to be treasured and valued. We do a disservice to the people around us when we treat it as anything less. We are to stand on God's Word when it comes to sexual intimacy. Not to condemn...but to love. To love others so much that we want them to be able to fully partake in the treasured gift of sexual intimacy that God has bestowed upon humankind.
Having said that, sexual intimacy is not the pinnacle of our existence. Sex is not and never will be the ultimate gift given to us by God. It is indeed a gift to be treasured, but it is not the very best thing God offers to us. The best gift of all is the gift of God's only beloved Son. Who came into this world so that if you believe in Him, you will not perish. But instead you will have eternal life. [1]
Eternal life in Jesus is the best gift available to us. Let us not place sexual intimacy above that, but let us also treasure it as the gift that it is meant to be.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Heart check: what is your perspective on sexual intimacy? Do you view it as a gift from God?
2. Have you either sinned or been hurt in the past in the area of sexual intimacy? Ask Jesus to renew your heart and mind. His finished work on the cross is even greater than sex.
FURTHER READING:
Sarah is married to Scott and is a full-time mom to their two young sons. She and Scott are involved in a small group focused on prayer.
[1] John 3:16
