The world has been ignorant of the true purposes of sex. The result has been untold pain and suffering for the masses! This near epidemic of misery is measured in disease, new kinds of perversion, unwanted pregnancies, often yielding abortions, illegitimate children or unwanted children in marriage, skyrocketing divorce rates, which in turn produce corresponding numbers of jumbled families, bankruptcies, court battles, and even crime.

Sadly, these conditions grow worse and more complicated, with each new generation compounding the problems and evils of the previous one.

Tragedy, unhappiness and confusion about sex and marriage have afflicted every nation of the world for thousands of years, and people have not known where to turn for the answers—the solutions—to so many ill effects. But there are answers—there are solutions—and you can know them. What has not been known is that there is a vital missing dimension to marriage and sex.

This Personal reveals it!

Sex-drenched Society

The world is now drenched—in fact, drowning—in a deluge of sex, with much or most of it having no connection to any real meaning or right purpose. More than ever in history, all mankind is awash in every conceivable sexual pleasure, fantasy, perversion and pursuit—in or out of marriage, with fewer people any longer making a distinction between the two. There has come to be no end to—and virtually no limits on—advertisements, television programs, movies, books, magazines, articles, pictures and websites for every sex-related activity that the misguided creative genius of human beings could devise.

But sadly, there has been a worldwide drought in right understanding of marriage and sex! And almost none know why they were born—what is the supreme purpose for human life. Most have no idea there even is a purpose for human existence. Believing himself to be merely the highest of the animals in an evolutionary chain, man has remained in the dark, completely unable to see a reason for sex, or for human beings existing as men and women. Yet there is an awesome purpose for humanity collectively—and you personally—and, when fully understood, it is inseparable from the purposes of sex and the marriage institution.

Recognize that you have been trained—actually conditioned—in wrong knowledge and values about this subject. Not only do you need to learn the truth of when and why sex—and its vital, hidden role in marriage—but you also have to be prepared to unlearn all the error that has been pumped into you about them. You must be reconditioned to the truth. As you would with any other Bible teaching, you must be prepared to wash your mind from all assumptions, error and wrong thinking.

But before we can understand all that God teaches about the purposes of sex, we must examine what is occurring today.

“New Morality”

The sexual revolution of the latter 20th century changed the entire world—and not for the better. During this period, the idea of “sex without boundaries” exploded. The advent of cable television, the Internet, and the vast expanse of every conceivable kind of pornography it offers, and the ease with which adult videos can be obtained, have helped spread the mindset that all sex is good—in or out of marriage.

Barriers everywhere have dropped—and are still dropping as they near a complete collapse on all fronts. Every day sees new lows in immorality, perversion, debauchery and “anything goes” when it comes to sexual habits and appetites. Experimentation and indulgence have become the norm. Most have come to believe that free sex in every form—with the same or opposite sex—or both—is a simple matter of personal preference. It is as though there is no longer the slightest concern about whether sexual activity is right or wrong. Vast millions now believe that achieving sexual pleasure in any setting, for any purpose, and involving any kind of experimentation or activity (and this includes any number of men and women participating in a single sexual episode) is perfectly acceptable—and is now seen as almost a human “right” of sorts.

By every earlier human standard and definition of morality—not to mention what God teaches!—sexual values in the early 21st century are infinitely worse than a mere 50 years ago. Words like “shocking,” “disgusting,” “sickening” and “revolting” come to mind when one looks across the world at what is now seen to be normal conduct to young people. Even the bestiality more common in ancient times is quietly reappearing. It is not too early to ask: how soon before this perversity becomes at least tacitly accepted by society?

Adultery is now rampant in all Western nations, with approximately 80 percent of U.S. households experiencing and afflicted by what is being committed by one or both mates. The suffering of all kinds connected just to illicit sex by married people is staggering to consider. When will we find that 93—or even 100 percent—of couples are no longer faithful in marriage?

But conditions have gone far beyond simple adultery, which is wrong enough. Recognize that the worst kinds of perversion and sick, degenerate practices in modern society cannot even be covered in this Personal. Here is why: “For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret [those practicing immorality]” (Eph. 5:12). Bear in mind that the worst things happening in the sexual arena throughout society must be excluded from mention.

Improving or Degenerating?

To some, the world exists in a state that appears to be improving. Achievements in science, technology, medicine and invention have led to advancements of every kind. As problems and troubles arise, man seems unlimited in his ability to solve them. But is he really solving them? Are the accompanying wounds of supposed advancement being healed by technology?

The total fund of human knowledge doubles annually. But is all this information improving society? Is it helping humanity to make better choices? Are human beings—as “informed” people—better off than the “ignorant and uneducated” masses of previous centuries?

One of the greatest areas in which knowledge has flourished is that of sex. A plethora of information—and “instruction”—is now available. But has this avalanche of information enabled human beings to make better decisions in their sexual practices? Has the almost total pursuit of “better sex” and just plain more sex improved social conditions or solved any problems? Has this knowledge stemmed the tsunami of all the negative effects that hurt and destroy so many lives? Or is it making things worse?

Most people never stop to examine the depth to which sex permeates almost every facet of society. One can no longer turn on the television (and this also applies to movies) without finding a program that has at least sexual undertones—but more often blatant messages! Magazines, beginning with the cover, are literally filled with photos, stories and features that would shock even the most liberal-minded of past generations.

The sheer number of articles about sex in these magazines is overwhelming. For instance, how many have titles such as “10 Ways to Please Her (or Him),” or “12 Bedroom Secrets to Use on Him (or Her),” or “6 Tips to Know When to…” etc.? Billboard-sized nudes now line the highways of some countries. I saw some while on an international trip.

And, again, there is now the Internet, and its online magazines, which offer a veritable buffet—an astonishing smorgasbord—of incredible sexual perversions, titillations, venues and “activities.”

Two Extremes

Throughout history, man’s attitude toward sex has ranged from Puritan censorship and prudery—including repression, and even forbidding the mere mention of the subject—to the “new morality,” in which unbridled promiscuity reigns.

Just as the old morality with its “sex is shameful” approach failed to yield happy, fulfilling marriages, the new one has likewise failed in this quest. The “new morality”—meaning without any morality—has caused marriages and the social fabric of nearly every Western nation to further deteriorate. Why has this happened? Each of these extremes, along with man’s entire spectrum of knowledge, is missing a vital dimension, long since dismissed by professors of higher learning. Knowledge of this unknown dimension would rectify the ignorance and confusion that dominate this age.

The “new morality” was given much press in the 1960s, as it promoted drugs, fornication, adultery, the hippie lifestyle, and hostility toward the “establishment.” Its hedonistic motto was, “Make love, not war.” Yet this movement failed to produce happy, stable, fulfilled marriages.

No wonder. Whenever such movements have attempted to amend moral codes, they only result in separating man further from his Maker’s originally intended purposes and bring more harmful effects.

Due to the countless thousands of books that now abound on sex, people understand the detailed anatomy of the sexes better than any previous generation. Yet none of these books equip them to grasp the mental-spiritual understanding regarding the true purpose of sex. Without it, people are easily sold on poisonous attitudes promoted in the mass media, which has played the most critical role in eroding moral purity. And once this threshold is breached, many rush to indulge in conduct that results in long-term damage to both mind and body.

Here is how two network television spokesmen revealed what is happening in USA Today: “We don’t want to be out of touch with the way society is going,” said one. And, “The line moves every day, so you got to move with it. You can’t put the genie back in the bottle,” said the other. At least he spoke the truth.

Prophesied Time

God foretold that “in the last days…men shall be…lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” and “without natural affection” (II Tim. 3:1-2, 4, 3). In the age of gross materialism, mixed with rank hedonism, the three “Ls” of leisure, luxury and license have come to dominate the thinking of whole societies and nations.

The Bible is filled with scriptures describing the sexual saturation of wrong conduct and thinking in the modern age. God pulls no punches in labeling many kinds of behavior as sin. Let’s see how He describes basic human nature, if left to itself. Sex-related sins and perversions are usually listed first.

The apostle Paul repeatedly described behavior that disqualifies people from receiving eternal life in God’s kingdom. Notice this: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest [the Greek means “obvious”—and they are!], which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness…drunkenness, revellings, and such like…they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19, 21).

Here is what Christ Himself said when describing the basic elements of the human nature found within every person: “That which comes out of the man, that defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications…wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness…[and others]” (Mark 7:20-22).

These are powerful indictments. God takes very seriously the misuse of one’s body for personal indulgence, which was given solely for His Supreme Purpose.

Incredible Purpose Revealed!

This Personal is for those who will consider what Almighty God instructs, not for the unwilling. God reveals that marriage and sex have a marvelous purpose completely beyond the bounds of human imagination. After learning God’s explanation, you can judge whether it makes more sense than what is offered by evolutionists and traditional Christianity.

Remember, if you will not accept God’s revealed Word, you are left with no choice but to be ignorant of how and when marriage began, and of the purposes of sex. You must accept that marriage is either a human invention on the road of evolution, or a falsehood of religion—that it is for no purpose other than procreation, and even, according to one church, that celibacy is a “higher calling.” These are your only options!

Where then can men find this missing spiritual knowledge, so lacking in all the publications that stress only the physical aspects of sex? Generally these are focused on the endless means and techniques to titillate and maximize sexual pleasure.

We offer a book unlike any other about sex. Titled Sex – Its Unknown Dimension, it is filled with information about a world gone mad over sex, why sex is necessary, the important differences between humans and animals, the amazing male and female biology and function, sex in marriage as God intended, the wedding night, how to teach children and teens about sex, exactly what is the unknown dimension of sex—and much, much more. You will want to read it. Order your free copy today.

One Source Reveals Answers

God knew there must be a source that plainly reveals and defines morality and proper human conduct. Again, the true understanding of this unknown dimension is found in the Bible—the Word of God. No other source reveals it. To understand why God created sex, we must look to the Bible.

Man was created after the God-kind—in His image and likeness. Notice: “And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness…” (Gen. 1:26). The account continues: “…male and female created He them. And God blessed them…” (vs. 27-28).

This passage makes God the Author of sex, and the sole authority on it. Sex is the product of God’s design and creative forethought, and is not, as some religionists think, a mischievous stunt in which the devil somehow “marred” God’s otherwise perfect Creation. As He had done with every other aspect of His Creation, God concluded that the creation of male and female—including sex!—“was very good” (vs. 31).

God instructed Adam and Eve about the proper function of sex within their unique roles as male and female—husband and wife. Though the Genesis account gives only highlights, God reveals the vital, hidden dimension in sex in various other scriptures throughout the Bible.

Man was created from clay—from physical matter. Yet the Master Potter is forming something far more enduring than the mere physical elements and chemicals of which the human body is composed. The Creator’s ultimate goal is to spiritually develop His holy, righteous character within all human beings. For now, God has called a tiny few to see His truth. But ultimately, He will offer all men—past, present and future—the opportunity to build His godly character within them. This spiritual process involves choosing to follow the right path and using self-discipline—through the power of God’s Spirit—to reject the former paths of human nature and worldliness.

Despite God’s instruction, Adam and Eve rebelled, rejecting the only way that would have brought blessings. Humanity has followed—most usually directly choosing—the same course ever since. This spiritually revealed knowledge included the right, wholesome, God-intended purpose of sex and command to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth” (Gen. 1:28).

Spiritual Parallels to Human Reproduction

As with the animal kingdom, one purpose of sex between human beings is reproduction. But this is not the only purpose. The pattern of human reproduction—including the fascinating significance of conception (or begettal) and birth—parallels a spiritual plane that does not apply to the animal or plant kingdoms.

The devil has gone to great lengths to corrupt this world and to hide the true meaning found in the proper purpose and understanding of sex and reproduction. Unknown is also how these parallel the process of spiritual growth and the development of godly character—the only path by which men can be born into the Family of God. Satan has blurred, disguised and suppressed this truth through numerous means, but primarily through the “hush-hush” Victorian prudery of the old morality and the reckless promiscuity and accompanying kaleidoscope of perversity of the new morality.

Here is the very briefest synopsis and sampling that space permits of only a few points thoroughly covered in the book mentioned earlier:

Consider. In human reproduction, after a male sperm cell has joined with an egg cell, life is imparted to the egg. At this stage, human life has been begotten and at this point it is considered an embryo. After the first nine weeks or so, the unborn child developing in the womb is called a fetus. Over several months, the begotten fetus grows—from nutrition taken in by the mother—until it has developed and matured sufficiently to be born as a new, little, separate person.

In John 3, Jesus explained to Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (vs. 3). Nicodemus knew Christ meant literally another birth—not merely the undergoing of a “religious experience.”

Jesus further explained, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (vs. 6). Christ was not referring to people being reborn as physical, mortal human beings. Rather, He was speaking of a spiritual birth—of men being born as spirit beings into the kingdom of God, the God Family. Just as a human is begotten of his physical father, one must, in order to be born into the spirit realm, also be begotten of the spiritual Father.

Much can be learned through a comparison of the human stages of begettal, gestation and physical birth with the growth process of spiritual birth.

First, the human egg has a relatively short life of about 24 hours, unless a male sperm cell has joined the egg cell. Likewise, human life lasts only about 70 or so years—which is very short compared to eternity.

Second, the male sperm unites with the female ovum. Similarly, just as the spirit in man combines with the physical brain to form the human mind, the Spirit of God unites with the human spirit. Notice: “The Spirit [the Holy Spirit]…bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Rom. 8:16).

Third, as with the fertilized human egg, life can be imparted to people through the begettal process of the Holy Spirit—which is actually an “earnest” or down payment of eternal life from the Father (Eph. 1:13-14; II Cor. 1:22; 5:5). Romans 8:14 shows that those who have the Spirit of God are literally sons of God (not yet born). II Peter 1:4 reveals that God the Father uses His Spirit to impart His divine nature within His spiritually begotten sons.

Fourth, as the human sperm cell is the smallest of all cells, the initial measure of God’s Spirit that one receives is very small—perhaps only a tiny percent of one’s full potential. During this life, spiritual babes in Christ must develop and grow, much like a fetus, in order to be born spiritually—to become spirit beings and receive eternal inheritance. Notice: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…that we may be also glorified together” (Rom. 8:17).

As with newborns, this growth process begins with spiritual milk: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby: if so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (I Pet. 2:2-3).

The purpose of sex is directly connected to the nature of God’s kingdom—the governing Family of God!

I repeat, the human family was instituted by God for an awesome purpose: training us—preparing us to join the ultimate family—the God Family—upon resurrection and change from human flesh to spirit. (Carefully read I Corinthians 15:48-54.)

Relationships Based on Love

Every healthy family relationship is based on love. And love is the foundation of God’s character—the definition of His nature. The apostle John twice recorded, “God is love” (I John 4:8, 16). Love is not merely something God has, but is rather what He is. This love binds together the members of the God Family—currently the Father and Jesus Christ.

Marriage between a man and woman is also designed to be based on love, as a reflection of Christ’s relationship with His true Church. Let’s read: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it…So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies…For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh” (Eph. 5:25, 28, 31).

Stated plainly, the “cause” of marriage is love!

Also, sex itself is set forth as another cause for marriage—directly interconnected with love—in the Genesis account of the creation of Adam and Eve. Christ confirms this in the New Testament: “…He which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh…” (Matt. 19:4-5). The phrase “one flesh” is a direct reference to the sex act within marriage.

These two causes—love and sex—are inseparable within God’s intended design and purpose. Love between spouses is expressed through the means of sex, and God uses marital sex to ingrain the principle of love!

The all-powerful, living God is expanding His divine Family by creating His righteous character in humans. This is the all-important purpose behind sex and the family relationship. All true Christians are spiritually begotten at baptism and carry the potential to then be born of God into the kingdom of God.

Greatest Picture

In summary, recognize that two important purposes in regard to sex fit within this plan for mankind.

First, God designed sex to symbolize physical life. This is because it is through reproduction that human life is begotten. Second, He authored sex to be an expression of marital love. Sex is both a physical type of life and the greatest expression of love. Also, as reproducing physically typifies the process of spiritual begettal, love in marriage is a type of Christ’s loving relationship with His Church.

If you are currently going through troubles in your marriage, it is not too late to change your attitude and begin following God’s give way of life. Most marriages become unhappy when wrong attitudes enter. Do not seek only what you can get out of a relationship, but what you can give back. Do not miss the opportunity that marriage provides to truly give of yourself and to practice Acts 20:35. (You may also wish to order my free booklet .)

If you are still single, or have perhaps gone through a divorce, study and understand God’s correct purposes of sex. Ensure that your thoughts and conduct are aligned with His will. Trust Him to guide and direct the selection of a husband or wife when the time is right.

The Restored Church of God, which publishes this magazine, offers more helpful material—and all free!—on dating, courtship, marriage, sex and the family than anywhere else. The one Church that Jesus Christ built (Matt. 16:18) could not do less.

Again, the place to start regarding the subject of sex is the essential book Sex – Its Unknown Dimension, which can be ordered for free. Filled with fascinating information, millions have read it.

You may wish to explore our vast library of literature and broadcasts available on rcg.org and worldtocome.org—covering every conceivable facet of these subjects! It will answer the questions on your mind. In fact, you will see there is not one subject of importance—on any topic of Bible truth—that is missing.

By equipping yourself with this precious knowledge and following God’s laws, you can truly grasp His purposes for sex and experience all the wonderful blessings and benefits a loving God provided for His creation.