We know that our culture’s sexual ethics are anything but biblical. Secular sources like Fox News, Human Rights Campaign, and USA Today report that 20–30 percent of Gen-Z Americans identify as LGBT+. But what about Christian young people? Is sexual brokenness limited to the non-Christians of my generation? It isn’t. Baptist News Global reports that 76 percent of Christian young adults ages 18–24 actively search for porn. Lamentably, I’m not shocked by this conclusion. The dismal statistic has been reflected in my life and in dozens of conversations I’ve had with young women surrounding this topic. Amid this darkness, believers need to be reminded of how the Bible’s sexual ethic draws us out of our shame and into the joy of the Lord. Unsurprising and Tragic As a young teen, I was introduced to sexually explicit content via “age-appropriate” internet platforms. I followed this exposure deep into sin. Friends have shared their disillusionment over the recently exposed secret sins of a trusted boyfriend, fiancé, or husband. Others have confessed personal sexual brokenness of various kinds. Believers need to be reminded of how the Bible’s sexual ethic draws us out of our shame and into the joy of the Lord. Sexual intimacy is reserved for one man and one woman within the bounds of marriage. Period. The consequence of missing this mark is death—separation from a holy and just God. For those who have been sinned against, there will be justice. And for those who have sinned, there will be justice. The apostle Paul writes, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality . . . will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9–10). I’ve seen my generation make two main mistakes in response to passages like this. Two Wrong Views Several years ago, in a conversation with classmates at my public high school, our discussion turned to the topic of Christian morality. I still remember what one student said: Yes, I do [commit a certain sin] sometimes. It’s not a big deal. It’s just that I don’t think that God would really send me to hell over that. That’s not the kind of God I believe in. This friend had missed the realities of both God’s holiness and his abounding grace made manifest in Christ. This is the foundation of the gospel. I’ve heard the same misconception echoed numerous times among my peers. Other young people, often those attempting to pursue Christ faithfully, also live like their understanding of the gospel is incomplete. They view 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 as the complete, condemning picture of the biblical sexual ethic. As opposed to my classmate who rationalized her sin, they treat sexual immorality like it’s the unforgivable sin, outside the reach of Christ’s redemptive work. This conclusion is an invitation for shame to cripple the believer, keeping him in the darkness along with his sin. Gen Z needs to read on to what Paul says in the next verse: “Such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (v. 11). True Gospel The previously mentioned dark, shame-steeped interval of my adolescence was the surprising catalyst that led me to a deepened understanding of the gospel of grace. During this time when I was gripped by sin, I had a clearer view than ever before of the depths of my depravity. I didn’t like what I saw. I was desperately aware of my need for justification before God. Similarly, I suspect, to many of my peers still in the throes of sexual sin, I was utterly convinced I’d strayed too far. I began to see, perhaps for the first time, that I was in real need of a Savior. I shared the experience of John Newton in his hymn “Amazing Grace”: “’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved.” Christian, hear this truth: The gospel of grace covers your sexual past, present, and future. Christ’s life was pure where yours was not. He died an undeserved death and rose three days later so that you can have life. Christ’s blood is powerful to cover your deepest brokenness. Brother or sister, bring darkness to light! Remember the apostle John’s words: “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (1 John 1:6). Step into the Light Fear will tell you that exposing your sin is unnecessary, too costly, even dangerous. Fear is a liar. Your loving father wants to tenderly heal your wounds and lead you to restoration. As my church’s pastors faithfully proclaim, “If the gospel is true, you have nothing to hide.” Mature believers shouldn’t miss this other implication of 1 Corinthians 6:11: Younger believers need to gain encouragement from the testimony of how you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified. We need each other. As you humbly submit yourself to vulnerability for the good of fellow believers, learn to pray as the Puritans did: “Let me find thy light in my darkness, . . . thy grace in my sin, . . . thy glory in my valley.” Fear will tell you that exposing your sin is unnecessary, too costly, even dangerous. Fear is a liar. I’ve seen young women gain freedom for the first time from the secrecy and darkness that their sin and shame brought them, simply because another believer was willing to first say, “Here are some ways I’ve fallen short of the glory of God, and here are numerous ways he has glorified his name in my life anyway.” Thanks be to God that his “power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9) and that our testimonies speak much more to who God is than to who we are. Our sovereign God gives good gifts. He gave us the gift of sexuality, and he gave us guidelines to use that gift for his glory. The greatest gift he gave us was that of his Son’s blood to remedy all our shame, which comes not from sexuality itself but from sin. The culture around us says that following our sexual desires will make us happy. But only the Bible’s sexual ethic brings us to true, lasting joy. What a privilege it is to be joined to this Holy God who knows what’s best for us. I’m so grateful that because of this blood, we’re free to glorify God and enjoy him forever.