We are definitely not ones to advocate for following trends. In fact, we stand so firmly on the side of “oh, is that what everyone’s doing? Probably best to do the opposite, TBH.”
And we’re definitely not saying, “Jump off the bridge. Everybody else is doing it!” If you know God, then you know that His Kingdom is an upside-down Kingdom. Man cannot be friends with both the world and with God; He must choose to submit to one, because he certainly cannot submit to both — not only would it be stretching, but it would be impossible. The Kingdom of Heaven and the world are at odds, especially when it comes to sexual purity and promiscuity.
The world says, “sow your oats!” and “be free in your sexuality!” “Get it out of your system before you’re married” and even “Don’t get married. Who would want to be stuck with one person forever when you could have your choosing?” Even further, the world says that your sexual orientation defines you; the world says that, more than anything else, who you’re attracted to defines who you are.
God says nothing of the sort. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” 1 Corinthians 6:18: “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” Ephesians 5:3: “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” And 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…”
How much more opposite could these messages be? Of course, Scripture and society are often in opposition in their messaging, but none so blatant as sexual conduct.
So, this is where this gets fun: When the world and God’s Word collide, and find themselves in blissful harmony (a rarity, no?). Now stick with us, because we know that not everyone is going to want to read about Justin Bieber (as not everyone is an “out” Belieber like your editor here. Ya’ll, I will wear a t-shirt with this guy’s face on it, IDC). But we got too excited to read that he (yep, ya boy Justin) and Hailey Bieber (formally Baldwin), waited until marriage to have sex. That’s not to say both were virgins; they waited to have sex with each other until marriage. And we think that’s kind of (read: totally) cool.
In the recently published American Vogue, which hosts the newlyweds on the cover, the two reveal a little bit about their story:
Justin explains, “‘When I saw her last June, I just forgot how much I loved her and how much I missed her and how much of a positive impact she made on my life … I was like, ‘Holy cow, this is what I’ve been looking for.’”
Hailey responds, “‘I prayed to feel peace about the decision [to get married], and that’s where I landed … I love him very much. I have loved him for a long time.'”
Endearingly, the two also confess that marriage is tough, especially in the adjustment period as newlyweds: “‘I’m not going to sit here and lie and say it’s all a magical fantasy. It’s always going to be hard. It’s a choice. You don’t feel it every single day. You don’t wake up every day saying, ‘I’m absolutely so in love and you are perfect.’ That’s not what being married is … We’re really young, and that’s a scary aspect …We’re going to change a lot. But we’re committed to growing together and supporting each other in those changes. That’s how I look at it. At the end of the day, too, he’s my best friend.'”
If jumping off the bridge looks like jumping into waters of purity, honor, and intentionality in relationship, then count us in. We are so here for it.
@ Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin, way to lead the charge in Hollywood, and thank you for your vulnerability. You go, Glenn Coco.
