"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Matthew 5:8
"To the pure, all things are pure."
Titus 1;15
"Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
1 John 3:3
"He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the King shall be his friend."
Proverbs 22:11
"Keep yourself pure."
1 Timothy 5:22
What do you think of when you hear the word 'purity'? I imagine waking up in the morning to find freshly fallen snow, covering the ground with a peerless, perfect white blanket. It is undisturbed, it is silent, it is crisp and clean... it is PURE.
We, as children of the King of kings, ought to have that same appearance when the world looks on at us. They should see that our lives are undisturbed by the world's filthy system, our hearts ponder no evil-tainted thoughts, our bodies are sanctified for Christ's holy purposes, and that our hands, strengthened by the power of God, do many good works for His glory. What a wonderful impression of Christ we can set forth for all the world to see merely by living a PURE life, from the inside out.
A life that looks like what I described above is one that doesn't just happen over-night, if you were wondering! A pure heart is not a natural or inborn trait... it's supernatural; God-given. He gives a pure heart to those who desire it and seek after it. He cleanses our imperfection, covers us in His perfection, His unfettered righteousness, and then empowers us to remain in that purity, which is the hard part.
Moment by moment we make choices, both in our actions and in our thought life. Our natural tendency is to "just have a little fun" and dabble in things that might seem harmless but by God's standards are carnal, and our choice defiles us. We must choose to be radical to be pure. We have to learn to say no.
Thank God for His grace!!!! His grace does cleanse us if we should err, but the really awesome thing is that it strengthens us and helps us to have victory when we are tempted. Isn't that wonderful? Most people forget that part of God's grace.
A life that looks like what I described above is one that doesn't just happen over-night, if you were wondering! A pure heart is not a natural or inborn trait... it's supernatural; God-given. He gives a pure heart to those who desire it and seek after it. He cleanses our imperfection, covers us in His perfection, His unfettered righteousness, and then empowers us to remain in that purity, which is the hard part.
Moment by moment we make choices, both in our actions and in our thought life. Our natural tendency is to "just have a little fun" and dabble in things that might seem harmless but by God's standards are carnal, and our choice defiles us. We must choose to be radical to be pure. We have to learn to say no.
Thank God for His grace!!!! His grace does cleanse us if we should err, but the really awesome thing is that it strengthens us and helps us to have victory when we are tempted. Isn't that wonderful? Most people forget that part of God's grace.
Purity starts in the heart (Proverbs 4:23). You begin by filling your mind with God's word, and your heart with His love (James 4:7-8). You begin to think like He thinks... you love what He loves (righteousness), and hate what He hates (any appearance of evil). Thus you actions will stem from what has bloomed in your heart-- PURITY.
"...just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."
Ephesians 5:25-27
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