Figures released by the Census Bureau Thursday show that the number of cohabiting opposite sex couples increased by 13% last year. This sharp increase is thought to be partly due to people trying to save money in these tough economic times. The AP article I read on the subject made no mention of the morality of such living arrangements.

It should come as no surprise that the world sees nothing wrong with sexual immorality. Those who hold no claim to Christianity are not bound by its views. What should concern us is the worldly attitude about sexuality that is creeping into the church.

The Bible is quite plain about this matter. Heb.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.” Paul told the Corinthian church that anyone who has improper urges toward the person he/she is engaged to should do the right thing and get married (1 Cor.7:36). 1 Cor.6:9-11 says that the sexually immoral are among those who are not part of God’s kingdom.

As a preacher, I have been put in situations where I might have been tempted to ignore the truth about sexual immorality. I have officiated at a few weddings where I had to make reference to the couple’s improper living arrangements and point out that getting married was part of their repentance.

My philosophy is that a church should welcome all sinners to attend, but hold its members to biblical standards of behavior. What is your approach?