Younger adults, age 23-41 (Baby Busters), have given themselves significant moral license. For instance, many believe that cohabitation (59%), sexual thoughts and fantasies about someone (57%), sex outside of marriage (44%), looking at pornography (33%), and homosexual activity (28%) are morally acceptable. Did I mention that those are the percentages among Busters who claim to be born again? (Kinnaman and Lyons in Unchristian, Baker Books, 2007).
The survey that asked those questions also asked questions about abortion, using the "f" word on broadcast television, using drugs not prescribed to you, getting drunk, and using profanity. Guess which one of those was believed by the most Busters to be morally unacceptable. Did you guess "using the 'f" word on T.V.? That's correct. Only 7% of Busters believed that was morally acceptable.
What have we been doing? I'm serious. What have we been doing? Jesus said to us, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men" (Matthew 5:13). We've not only failed to influence our world for good, we have actually let the immorality of the world come into our family. We've lost our saltiness and the yeast of the world has spread through us. We've lost our ability to influence and have been persuaded that what is actually evil is now okay.
Sexual immorality, whether fleshed out in cohabitation, prolonged sexual thought and focus on sexual fantasy, sex outside of marriage, viewing pornography, or homosexuality is wrong. It's sin. Along with impurity and debauchery (uncontrolled shamelessness); idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. Paul was clear. If these words describe your lifestyle, you will not go to heaven. You will not inherit the kingdom of God. Make no mistake about it. These things are wrong. If you don't believe it, you are missing the obvious. You are blind to what is clear. You are confusing what is plain. That's Life at Work!
