Re: sex before marriage (Long)
@ Cybra: That was a great answer!
The Bible says that fornication is a sin. While there are various translations of the Bible, it's better to be eternally safe than eternally sorry. Looking at it from a literal view, it is a sin. The Bible says that we, as humans, are not to judge others...which means to say that you are going to heaven or hell. We can only tell you what God says about it in the Bible.
I Corinthians 6
8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
That pretty much speaks for itself. If you have given your life to Jesus and are "born again" and you happen to fall into sin, then that is understandable and I know that if you sincerely ask him from your heart to forgive you, that he will. If you aren't born again, then your worrying about sex before marriage doesn't matter.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
You have to take care of first things first. You ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and make you pure in *his* eyes and let him into your life to direct you first. Then he will take care of the rest! If you let him help/instruct you, he will show you how to keep yourself pure. Salvation doesn't make us perfect, but God's grace (undeserved favor) makes us saved. (Note: I do not believe in once saved always saved.)
Personally speaking, I had sex before marriage and I *really* wish that I hadn't. I used "protection" and still got pregnant. I thought that I wasn't ready for a baby...I still had my single life that I wanted to live! I, and my baby's father, wanted me to have an abortion but I was raised with a Bible-instructing mother and knew that it wasn't right. I was unsaved at the time, but prayed to God to help me and this was the scripture that was given to me.
2 Timothy 3
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
When I read it all I could do was cry. I couldn't believe that God was speaking to me like that. Besides diapers and wipes, the first thing that I *ever* bought my daughter was a t-shirt when she was 2. She didn't need it, but I wanted to buy it because I hadn't bought her anything. God used many people to provide for me in my time of need. I got bags and bags of clothes from other people (some new) as well as a highchair, crib, bedroom set, stroller and $200 from the church that I was attending when I was at school. By the way, I'm still getting clothes for her. She can't even wear them all!!! When we trust in God, he provides! I ended up giving my life totally over to Jesus during my pregnancy! An uncomfortable situation brought me to Jesus, but I am here to stay. (At least until the Rapture...)