Dear Steve,
I am a young college student and I need advice regarding my relationship with my dearly loved boyfriend. We know from the Bible that actual fornication is a sin, but how far are we allowed to venture in our physical relationship without sinning?
E.S.
Dear E.S.,
That’s a great question, and it is one that many young people have regarding what is “allowed” biblically. Especially when your courtship is heading toward marriage, the temptations can be quite strong, and you are asking for revelation of the “boundaries” of permissiveness. My answer is to not try to give you rigid “constraints,” but rather I think you will be able to chart your own pathway by answering this question I have for you: “On your wedding night, how much of a gift do you want to give to your new husband?” When you answer that question, you will have answered the question you posed in your letter. The choice is ultimately yours.
Blessings to you both,
Steve