One of the great triumphs of the early church was its witness in the arena of sexual conduct, marriage and the family.
The surrounding pagan culture, which was deeply immoral, was profoundly influenced by the sexual purity of the Christians. It became widely known that chastity was the quintessential Christian virtue that flowed from the holiness of God. Young women, trained in the meaning and purpose of chastity by older women, strove to keep themselves pure for their future husband. Young men learned the virtue of self-control. Christian men were taught to treat women with honour and respect, to love their wives and to be faithful to their marriage.
The Christian virtues
Most people in society came to understand that Christian sexual conduct is expressed in the four virtues — modesty, chivalry, chastity and fidelity. While each virtue applies to an aspect of sexual behaviour, together they form a coherent inner belief system that expresses the biblical attitude to sex, marriage and the family. Sexual purity is the foundation on which these virtues are built, 1 Thessalonians 4.1-8. In his great wisdom God has instituted moral laws around human sexual conduct that preserve marriage, secure the family and protect children. When God’s people live by these virtues they have a profound impact on the moral condition of society.
