I recently found myself downtown at a McDonalds, eating a yogurt parfait, and listening to another pastor talk about purity from across the table.

What he said will probably shock you.  It may even make you angry.  But I will say, the vision of purity that he painted is beautiful.

He spoke out of a vision he had for young people, a vision that he believed was from God, a vision that he desires for his own daughter.

He said that the first kiss between a couple is meant to be shared at the alter.  When the pastor says, “You may now kiss the bride,” he is saying “you may now [for the first time] kiss the bride.”  The white dress is a symbol of purity, and the veil a symbol of virginity.  When the veil is removed and the groom steps forward, the act is symbolic of entering into her (and his) virginity, and with the kiss, a seal is made and the two become one flesh; giving their hearts to one another for the first time—before the Church, before families, before God.

This act with all of its symbolism and parallelism to Christ’s bride—the Church, and our relationship to him—is beautiful.  But where does that leave us?

Where does that leave those who have kissed dozens of people dozens of times, those who lost their virginity at a young age, those who have been raped and molested, where does it leave those who are hurting and confused and broken—and unable to partake in this?

Is this vision realistic?  Even for those who are saving their first kiss for the right person—what are the chances that they will find someone not only to whom they are attracted and to whom they are compatible—but have also made this same choice in their heart—before giving it away?  Is this vision realistic?

I think that there are a lot of things that do not happen the way God intended.  And I believe that it’s never too late.  I believe that wherever sin has taken us down, grace prevails.  I believe that it’s never too late to start living a life of purity.  With Christ’s grace, comes forgiveness, comes new beginnings.  For He is picking up the broken pieces of our shattered lives and He’s building a Kingdom out of them.

I believe that an unmarried couple that is living together can, with God’s help, choose to live apart until their wedding day.  And with God’s grace, can regain the purity on their wedding day at the alter that was once lost.

I believe that a cheating wife, or a husband that’s addicted to pornography, or a crumbling marriage can, with God’s help be restored to the purity of the alter.

And I believe that a single man or woman, who’s struggling with lust or envy or disappointment can, with God’s help, save their first kiss for the alter.

Revelation 21:5 (Jesus Christ) “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’”