Upon prohibitions and allowances

I've been asked what, since I am a professing Christian, is allowed regarding sex in the marital bed. I've been asked what is allowed, regarding sex prior to marriage. I've been asked about pornography in this modern age regarding single life and Christian practices, if it is allowed, if kinds of it are prohibited... and lastly, I've been asked whether gay or lesbians who are celibate or in a committed exclusive relationship can be Christian...

I have only a single answer, and it is not an altogether satisfying one for anyone. Since God gave us all the instincts we are born with, and we are flawed with the weakness of the flesh, we are bound to follow the instincts of our flesh rather than our spirit. By following the instincts of our flesh, our desires of lust, we forget that which we were born to also seek. I believe that we have dual natures, one with a need to fill our mind and spirit with purpose and to find peace within, and one to achieve pleasure. These to struggles mark us. They are often at odds, but, within certain scenarios mark the fruition of faith, and completion within us of our desire.

When we overcome temptation, we grow in faith. When we devote ourselves not to base pleasures and instead serve others we grow in faith. When we trust in God instead of our base desires, we grow in faith.

However great our desires are, and acknowledge they can be very intense and massive in size, our purpose in living on earth is greater in size and intensity. God obviously has plans for us, if God exists. I believe that there is such a vast gulch of knowing and seeing God by humans that we cannot partake of that being more than a sip, for it is such a raging torrent, we would be destroyed by the flow. So, this mystery of purpose can be difficult and serve as an obstacle to our faith, but, knowing that we serve a greater cause than we can tangibly understand, allows us to grow in faith.

I believe that in whatever scenario mentioned in the first paragraph, that the answer can be found in applying knowledge from both the bible, and the logical extension of understanding the ultimate purpose of existence.

If God exists, and God allows us to know God, then we must have a purpose. If we have a purpose and can know God through faith, learning God's word, and practicing our truths with others, we will grow in ability to sip from the waters that otherwise would wash us away by their size and power. When practice our truth, instead allow ourselves to be driven by desire we learn discipline.

Fortunately, while learning discipline, we are given something we sorely need, that allows us to go on. We are given massive quantities of grace. And God gives us mercy for all things upon our repentance. We were given many desires, but those of our flesh seem to be the greatest in power, and number. It makes sense that the mercy and grace for pursuing such desires must exist in equally or greater numbers, for God knows what we are made for, our purpose, and our flaws.

I am made of meat. I am flesh alone. To whatever degree God inhabits my soul, it is not my doing. But when I pursue God instead of my Flesh, each victory allows me to see clearer the goal I must reach.

I believe that my answers are not enough for anyone asking me what is right or wrong. I am exhorting you to seek out the wisdom and power of God's word in the Bible. What we do in this life is not without consequence, nor meaning, whether or not we can find forgiveness. The knowledge that we are meant to exist, and surely we are, demands that we pursue why that is so.

Thank you God for the beauty of the opposite gender, for the pleasures we find, and the self discipline we gain from self control.

When we find our self control, we will know the true answer to all the questions. I am not wise enough to know, only this, God knows, whether or not I do. And we have a means of finding out.