So this is the part where I’m supposed to warn you of the dangers of premarital sex, the deceitful allure of pornography, and the wonderful blessing of abstinence. This could also be considered a great time to throw out words like ORAL SEX, MASTURBATION, and VENEREAL DISEASE. Now that I’ve gotten your attention and the expected formalities out of the way, let’s get down to business.  Honestly my goal today isn’t so much to encourage you to keep your pants on, although you should; but rather inspire you to go beyond a list of do’s and dont's and identify your true motives as a follower of Jesus. Are you living out of habitual religion or a radical relationship with the lover of your soul?

Acts 17:22-23 (NASB), So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.”

There are those of you with great intentions. You want to live right, you go to church on Sunday and youth group on Wednesday. You pray before every meal and obey your parents. You’re very busy with religion yet ultimately find yourself worshiping in ignorance to a God you don’t even know. The Father isn’t impressed by how busy your Christian calendar is. He simply wants your heart.  Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 7:21-23 (MSG), “Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here”.

What’s the point in getting to heaven exhausted from a busy life of works and action just to hear Jesus say, “you missed the boat”? It’s not our good intentions or a “have to” mentality that sign our name to Heaven’s reservation book. It’s a passionate pursuit after Him. He longs for your heart and affection. God wants to be your one and only. In Mark 12:28-33, Jesus teaches us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love is verb. It requires demonstration. When you are truly in love with the only one worthy of your affection, your lifestyle can’t help but show it. Jesus also said in John 14:15, “if you love me, keep my commandments”. His desire for you and I is no different today. His desire is not religion, but rather an intimate and passionate love that serves as the motive behind everything we do, say, and think.

In reality, even sexual purity without a genuine and sincere walk with Christ is merely empty restraint. It’s a demonstration of works and effort without the empowerment of His Spirit. Now I understand some of you could care less about sex and the idea of waiting until your married is the least of your cares. For others it’s a very real and at times dominating struggle that has left them discouraged and defeated. We all wrestle with something. Maybe for you it’s low self-esteem, anger, fear, resentment, pride, drugs, alcohol, cutting, or suicide.

 
Regardless of what you may be facing, without intimacy, you’re without power. You may be able to temporarily resist in your own ability, but a true and lasting freedom is found only through transparency, accountability, the power of His Spirit, and a sincere relationship with the Lord.

You may be asking yourself what an intimate relationship looks like. Truth be told, it’s different for everyone. We’re all on a journey with God and hopefully with each day we come to know Him in a deeper way. The Bible says that those who diligently seek Him will find Him.

We are changed, as His presence becomes our favorite place. There many things that will help you walk intimately with the Lord. Prayer, worship, and discipleship are crucial, but there is one tool in particular that has changed my life from the inside out. Two words: DAILY-DEVOTIONS.

I’m not just talking about a bible study or memory verse. I’m talking about taking the first part of your morning and allowing God’s Word to saturate your heart and mind, literally transforming your life forever. When we read the Bible, we begin to see how God responds to our everyday life. As we encounter situations like Jesus, we’ll begin to respond the same way He did. That alone separates a disciple from many “believers.” Disciples are constantly cultivating the character of Christ, not just checking a box with their good attendance on a given Sunday morning.

The Bible instructs us to write the vision and make it plain. A short pencil is better than a long memory. Journaling is an excellent way to daily record and apply what the Lord speaks to us through His Word. A genuine lifestyle of purity is only achieved as we’re set apart by the truth of what He’s said (John 17:17) . Psalm 1 tells us that a blessed and prosperous life awaits those that are thrilled by the Word and meditate upon it day and night. This is a conscious decision to put Him first in your life.  It’s a pursuit of knowing Him by what He’s said and promised you. I love the word meditate. It translates to mean, mutter, attend, practice, ponder, and imagine. The Bible says that God’s Word is spiritual food, creative, eternal, alive, active and power against the enemy. It’s been sent with a purpose and accomplishes everything it is sent out to do.

Whether alone or in a group, at the lunch table or in Starbucks, devotions are the first step in walking out and putting to practice God’s will for our lives. James encourages us to be striking and intentional doers or the Word, not just hearers that allow the Word to go in one ear and out the other. We must act on what we hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are. Simply put, we study the Bible so that we can do something with it and discover who He’s intended us to be. It doesn’t matter what labels you’ve been given. You were fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of your Father, but until you know Him, you’ll never know who you are and what this life is really all about. Establishing a daily devotional life will equip you to be everything He’s intended you to be!

How to journal:

There are many Bible reading plans to choose from. Most of these will walk you through the Bible in a year or less. There are also multiple devotional models available. I personally use a specific model called S.O.A.P. I’ve provided the model below.

  All you need is you Bible, journal or piece of paper, and a pen or pencil.

 S: Scripture

Take your time as you read and allow God to speak to you from His Word. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly stood out to you, and write it in your journal.

O: Observation

What is God saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Paraphrase and write the scripture down in your own words, in your journal.

 
A: Application

Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Maybe it’s instruction, encouragement, revelation, or correction for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today.

P: Prayer

This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or an even greater insight on what He is revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say. Now write it out!

 

Chad Burgess has ministered to students and young adults for over 12 years as a youth pastor and inspirational speaker. He currently serves on the leadership team at Living Hope in San Clemente, California with his beautiful wife Melissa. They believe if Jesus was a friend to sinners, His church should be too. Their desire is to empower the remotest and “least of these” from all walks of life with Christ’s message of healing and restoration