Our full statement, with Scripture references, from our beliefs.
The Covenant of Marriage between and a man and a woman is holy, sacred, and beautiful. We view marriage as God’s divine design of a sacred covenant (a supernatural bonding) between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:23–24; Matthew 5:31–32, Matthew 19:1–12; Ephesians 5:25–33). In our fallen and broken world, relationships are often fragile. Yet, we believe that with the grace and power of God–along with the guidance of Scripture and a faithful community of believers–there is hope to have healthy marriages and to experience healing from past relationships. According to Scripture, marriage reflects the relationship between Jesus and the Church. Just as Jesus lovingly and sacrificially gave His life for His bride, the Church, the husband plays the role of Jesus by giving his life for his wife. And the wife responds to the husband’s sacrificial, loving initiatives by trusting his leadership in her family’s life, just as the Church responds to Jesus by trusting His leadership.
Through marriage, God created a place for sexual intimacy to be enjoyed through a man and a woman coming together as one. Although culture and customs have evolved in their definition of marriage, God alone, through Scripture, has the ultimate authority regarding marriage relationships (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:1-9; Ephesians 5:31).
Any sexual intimacy outside of marriage (between one man and one woman) is considered sexual immorality, which is identified in Scripture. This includes sexual intimacy within premarital relationships, same sex relationships, or polyamorous relationships, as well as bisexuality, adultery, bestiality, incest, or pornography (Matthew 15:19; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:4).
Though sexual intimacy outside of marriage (one man and one woman) is sinful, the Gospel provides redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, and receive love and forgiveness though Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 3:3-7).
Likewise, since the human body is a creation of God where sexual identity is biologically determined, disagreement with one’s biological sex or gender identity only leads to emotional chaos and spiritual confusion, and is regarded as sinful in its intent (Genesis 1:27; Romans 1:26-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Furthermore, there’s a difference between temptation (attraction) and unrepentant sin (action).
Jesus was tempted in all ways as we were, yet He never sinned. We, too, don’t have to give in to sexual temptation or be held captive by sexual immorality but can walk in His forgiveness, grace, and power on a daily basis—sanctification (1 Corinthians 6:11, Galatians 5:16-17).
The Mill Church will be a safe place for any person struggling with sexual temptations of all kinds. For those struggling with temptation, repenting of sin, and desiring to walk in who God called them to be, we will provide grace, love, care, and direction to encourage each of us to walk in God’s upward, inward, outward love (Matthew 11:28-30, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:14-16).
We’d love to talk with you. Reach out anytime.