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Being Seriously PURE

 

Being Seriously PURE

 

            Not often does anyone associate purity with sanctification. However, sanctification is setting apart for holiness, which is the basis for being pure. We can make purity a goal, but letting our heart and life digest holiness is the means by which purity is achieved. Unless we know and understand sanctification is an on-going process of holiness and being set apart for God, purity is never taken seriously.

            The question of purity being possible is in the question asked in Psalm 119:9-12.  “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!  I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!“  (ESV)  “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it”  (Psalm 119:140).

            While the temptations to be impurity are numerous, the answer to “HOW can I be pure?” is answered with TRUTH. TRUTH as opposed to LIES. The lies we hear often steer us into impure thoughts and immoral actions. The more we hear those lies, they become the truth we believe, but no lie ever becomes TRUTH. Setting out hearts upon TRUTH sanctifies us (John 17:17). It sets our heart upon wise choices of holiness. TRUTH places in our heart the ongoing process of purging, cleaning, and removal of uncleanness and immorality to reach the ultimate destination:   Be Like Jesus (1 John 3:2).

            TRUTH transforms us to focus upon the good, acceptable, perfect will of God (Romans 12:2). Truth brightly shines upon the pure things, not the vilest and impure. Truth prevents our imaginations from becoming evil every day as it did in the days of Noah (Genesis 6:5).

            TRUTH sets our heart and lives to focus upon the grace of God’s goodness, holiness, and righteousness. The sanctifying nature of TRUTH is a direction not meant to match how you are vs. who someone else is. Being seriously pure is working on YOUR salvation, “cleaning up” YOUR clothes, “washing out” YOUR mouth, “look where YOU’RE going”. It is letting Jesus “set the bar” for YOU.

            There is no point in asking how to be pure or praying for victory over impurity, if we are not committed to the truth which sets us free from it, “…purifying your souls in your obedience to the truth”, (1 Peter 1:22)