The Apostle Paul's reply to the Corinthian's questions about matters related to sexual fulfillment and marriage categorizes Christians into two groups, those who are sexually experienced being dealt with at the beginning of First Corinthians chapter seven and those who are inexperienced (virgins) being addressed at the end. Because of their different experiences, the issues the two groups must confront are not precisely the same, something not fully grasped by many Christians. What is clear and must be accepted as God's will is that, #1, it is not wrong to marry, and, #2, it is wrong to commit fornication, always. Therefore, it is legitimate for a Christian to marry if, in his estimation of his own situation as accountable to God, he must marry to avoid committing fornication. As well, since Paul declares that "it is better to marry than burn" (1 Cor 7.9) it should also be recognized that it is appropriate for a Christian to conclude that the time to marry is now if his passions convince him that he risks falling into sin by not marrying.
I am persuaded that there are principles found in the Bible that can be adhered to in an effort to secure a mate for life. I advocate courtship. However, I am also persuaded that someone who is sexually experienced as a result of a previous marriage or having committed fornication prior to conversion faces purity challenges a virgin does not always appreciate. Marriage is clearly stated by the Apostle to be a real solution to the temptation to commit sexual sin, and marriage is preferable to burning. That should settle the matter for some people concerning the timing and the necessity of marriage. As a Baptist pastor who embraces the Baptist distinctive of the priesthood of the believer and the competency of the Christian in his dealings with God, it is my privilege to bow to the judgment of a Christian who chooses to marry in order to avoid committing sin.
