Fresh Mannaby Pastor Tim BurtAs Maya and Jada walked into the church hall, their conversation turned to relationships. Jada had been dating her boyfriend for a few months, and she shared with Maya that they’d recently become more serious. “I think God just wants me to be happy,” Jada said confidently. “I mean, we’re in love. I don’t see what’s wrong with it.”Maya hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “I get it, Jada. Love is amazing. But…doesn’t God ask us to wait? To save that part of ourselves for marriage?” She looked at Jada, hoping to convey her sincerity without judgment.Jada shrugged, unconcerned. “That’s so old-fashioned, Maya. My mom says God’s just happy if we’re happy. Why would He care if I have sex with my boyfriend?”Maya nodded thoughtfully but said nothing more, sensing that her friend wasn’t ready to hear her viewpoint. She knew Jada loved God, but she also knew her friend’s views had shifted to fit what the world said was “normal.”As they found their seats, neither knew that Pastor Joe’s message would address this topic.The young men and women sat in the church hall, and Pastor Joe looked at each of their faces. He could see that this was a sensitive topic that needed handling with truth and grace. He began with a gentle smile.“Today,” he said, “I want to talk about something that’s become normal in our culture—something that, over time, has changed so much in people’s minds that it seems harmless to most. And yet, God’s Word hasn’t changed.”The room grew quiet. Pastor Joe leaned forward, his voice gentle but firm. “I know that the world is saying things today that make it seem like purity before marriage isn’t important. There’s pressure to believe that waiting is outdated, that everyone’s doing it anyway. But I want to show you two important truths from the Word of God.”He opened his Bible and read Hebrews 13:4 aloud: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”After a pause, he looked back up. “This verse tells us that God values purity. It’s not because He wants to control us or deny us joy but because He wants to protect us. His standards aren’t like those of the world, which change with every generation. God’s view of morality never shifts. What was right and wrong in His eyes when He created marriage is still right and wrong today.”Several heads nodded, but he could see some skepticism too. So, Pastor Joe continued.“Look at what’s happening around us,” he said. “Things that once seemed shameful are now celebrated. Our world is normalizing behaviors that God warns us about. And if we’re not careful, we can be deceived into thinking these things don’t matter.”He turned to Matthew 24:37-39, reading Jesus’ words: “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.”“The people in Noah’s time were so immersed in their ways, so used to disregarding God’s standards, that they didn’t even realize how far they’d gone. Sin had become their ‘normal.’ And that’s where the world is headed again. The Bible says it will be so persuasive and convincing that even believers could be led astray. Jesus warned us that in the last days, ‘the love of many will grow cold’ (Matthew 24:12).”The young men and women looked thoughtful, some exchanging glances.Pastor Joe continued, “The truth is, God’s standards are there for our good. The world’s ideas change, but God’s Word is solid and unchanging. If we follow Him, we find protection and blessing. But if we let ourselves be swept away by culture, we risk losing something sacred—our intimacy with God, our identity as His people.”He paused, letting his words settle. “Friends, I know it’s not easy. Temptation is strong, and the world makes it sound like you’re missing out if you wait for marriage. But let me ask you to think about this: What’s more important—the fleeting approval of the world or a lasting, pure relationship with God?”A young woman raised her hand, and Pastor Joe invited her to speak. “So, Pastor, are you saying God would judge us just for making mistakes?”Pastor Joe smiled gently. “I know it’s easy to think of God’s guidance as judgment. But think about it this way: God’s judgment isn’t about Him looking to punish; it’s about protecting us from harm we can’t always see. Just like a good parent teaches their child to stay away from danger, God’s Word shows us the way that leads to life, not pain.”He quoted 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God.”Finally, Pastor Joe’s voice softened. “I don’t say this to make anyone feel guilty. We’ve all made mistakes. But I want to encourage you to see how valuable you are to God and how He longs for you to live in the fullness of His blessing. When you walk in His ways, you’re choosing something better—lasting, holy love. Don’t settle for the world’s counterfeit. Hold on to God’s truth, even if it’s hard. One day, you’ll be so glad you did.”The young group was silent, reflecting on his words. Pastor Joe closed in prayer, asking God to give each of them the strength to stand firm in a world that changes but to trust in a God who does not.As Pastor Joe prayed, Jada felt her heart stir. For the first time, she began to see God’s perspective—not as restrictive but protective. As Pastor Joe concluded with “Amen,” she felt like God was speaking right to her, gently guiding her back to His truth. A tear slipped down her cheek as she whispered, “Thank you, God, for showing me the way.”Maya reached over and gave her hand a comforting squeeze, a shared understanding passing between them. It was a tender moment, and in her heart, Jada knew she had been given the gift of God’s loving correction.Galatians 6:1 NIV – "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted."In His love,Pastor Tim Burt
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