There's a new “romantic comedy” out starring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman titled “No Strings Attached.”  From the trailers and promotional material, the premise of the show seems to be that for many people the act of marriage can be divorced from any sort of commitment whatsoever. While Hollywood and its entertainers have never been models of virtue,  Kutcher's declaration on “Good Morning America” that his new movie is trying to appeal to women who are just as raunchy as men is certainly a far cry from the modesty displayed by the “walls of Jericho” in “It Happened One Night.” Portman's announcement at the Golden Globes that her boyfriend enjoys fornicating with her is further proof of society's acceptance of sexual immorality and total lack of shame over sin.
     When our Creator reserved the act of marriage for the committed life-long union of one man and one woman, He knew the blessings this intimacy could provide as well as the pitfalls of promiscuity. When God's good gift of sex is thrown out to “friends with benefits” or hook-ups with mere acquaintances, its binding power and intensity are lost or devalued so greatly that it is no surprise how many marriages or even mere attempts at temporary monogamy fail.  The consequences of shredding the strings of intimacy that are designed to attach in a life-long commitment of love, trust, and faithfulness are devastating to individuals and society. (As many as 98% of abortions could be avoided if society obeyed God's will concerning human sexuality.)
     What is amazing is the redemptive and restorative power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in reclaiming the fallen and empowering individuals and couples to overcome such deadly sin. In Christ alone, there is hope for His followers to remain sexually pure and for those who have erred to regain the blessings of faithfulness. Pray for God to work mightily to strengthen the ties that bind us to Him in faithfulness, whatever our station or vocation in life.