How Far is Too Far?  

	In the Dating Decisions— Learning not to take God’s Grace for Granted Keisha and Darnell were making out on the living room couch.  Keisha was content just holding and kissing, but Darnell wanted more.
by Kimberley Brooks

   Suddenly, Keisha felt like

something wasn't right, so she abruptly arose from the couch. 

Darnell wondered what was wrong.  She explained to the brotha she just met at a club two weeks ago that she felt like she shouldn't be doing this, especially since she recently rededicated herself to the Lord.

Darnell was confused. 

She could tell Darnell didn't understand, so she kindly asked him to leave.  As soon as she closed the door behind him, Keisha fell to her knees at the foot of the couch and cried hysterically.  She felt so bad for hurting God's feelings.

I was Keisha eight years ago.  I can remember that day vividly; it was the day I decided to stop playing with God by seeing how far I could go without sinning "all the way."

                  Some Christians wonder

            how far they can go when it comes

                         to the opposite sex. 

Sure, the Bible states that Christians are not to fornicate, or engage in sex before marriage (1 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 4:3), but what about making out?  The Bible doesn't say "Thou shalt not make out."  However, the Bible does say that we, as Christians, are to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

     God realizes that no one is perfect, which is why He gives us first John 1:9 which states, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 

God knows that, as Christians, we may miss it sometimes.  We may end up with

the wrong person at the wrong time

and things may happen. 

However, the best defense against allowing things to "just happen" is to avoid compromising situations. 

     If "Brotha Fine" calls you at 12 a.m. and asks if he can come over so the two of you can have Bible Study, see that as a red flag.  He may have good intentions, but the Bible says that we, as Christians, are to abstain from all appearance of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22).  The important thing is to be led by the Holy Spirit. 

     Before making any decision, even deciding whether or not you should accept a date offer, first ask God what He thinks about it. 

Proverbs 3:6 states, "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."  This includes acknowledging God when it comes to relationships. 

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Kimberley Brooks is the author of He's Fine...But is He Saved? and a member of American Christian Writers, Detroit Chapter. She can be contacted at www.Kimontheweb.com