As we approach the winter months, how many of you are excited for snow? Every year, no matter how tired of snow we might’ve been the previous winter, we jump for joy when we witness the first snowflakes. We take in the beauty as the ground and trees slowly become covered in white.
If you’re like me, you enjoy looking out at pure, unspoiled snow. There’s just something about the perfect canvas of snow, untouched by anything except the sun, causing each of the snow crystals to sparkle.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful, if as Believers, we looked at the canvas of our lives with the same desire for purity, untouched by any worldly “footprint” or legalistic “work”, allowing the God of Heaven to shine His light upon us so that we reflect Christ’s purity onto all those we come in contact with.
Christian purity is not merely a set of moral boundaries, but a transformative call to align our hearts, desires, and daily choices with God's holiness, so that our lives reflect His love in a world desperate for light.
When the Holiness of God led the people of Israel through the wilderness, He guided and trained them in the ways of purity for approaching His tabernacle. The Lord desired for His people to be near Him while also teaching them the importance of His holiness. It is no different for us today…
Thanks be to God, the Lord sent His son, Jesus, so that by His grace, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are washed clean by His blood. "Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18 So, yes, in God’s eyes, we are indeed as white as snow, but that does not mean we have license to behave any way we want. The Lord STILL regards purity with just as much seriousness, ESPECIALLY in the lives of Believers.
I’m sure when you see the word purity, the first thing that comes to mind is sexual purity, and although that is an essential form of staying pure before the Lord, we have an even deeper call of Christian purity. Let’s take a look at four ways we can live out that call.
Purity Should Define Your Thought Life
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
We recently celebrated my granddaughter's 1st birthday. It’s hard to believe a whole year has gone by. They literally grow and change right before our eyes. As infants, they are so innocent. The only way they can communicate discomfort is through crying, whether they are hungry, tired, or need a diaper change. But as they get older, even though they may not be speaking words, those little minds are thinking and curious, sometimes to their detriment, and they learn quickly that their “idea” led to hurting themselves.
As adults, impure thoughts ultimately lead to hurting ourselves and our relationship with God. Again, not speaking in the sexual sense here, although that is indeed the case, but thoughts that lead to doubting God, lacking trust in His provision or healing, complaining against our circumstances, or coveting the world rather than pleasing the Lord in purity. All of these impure thoughts lead to dissatisfaction, worry, anxiety, a lack of peace, contention with others, jealousy, and similar negative emotions. Doesn’t sound like a happy life.
The Lord tells us to “Be Holy as I am Holy”. 1 Peter 1:16 Holiness starts in the mind. When we consistently guard our thoughts, disciplining ourselves to take any thought captive to the obedience of Christ, a pure mind will be the natural byproduct. We will no longer hurt ourselves. And remember, “hurt people hurt people”.
Purity will define your thought life when you spend time daily in prayer and in the Word. The more you meditate on the things of God, the more your mind will be filled with the grace of God.
Purity Should Define Your Words
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what helps build others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
The Lord was not kidding when He said that the tongue is hard to tame. "The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison". James 3:8 Many Christians struggle with their use of profanity. When I first became a Believer, there was a sin that I INSTANTLY was repulsed by, and that was using the Lord’s name in vain. Praise God, I haven’t since becoming a Believer. But hold your applause… I can still struggle with swearing in a moment of frustration. From what I can tell, I am not alone in this. Why is there such satisfaction in saying a bad word when we are mad? It seems silly, really.
It’s not just foul language that contaminates our words. Gossip, coarse joking, words meant to inflict pain, ALL should not be part of our conversations as Believers.
Non-Christians are watching our every word. As Believers, filled by His grace, we are the Lord’s representatives on earth. The way we speak reveals a great deal about us as individuals. The last thing we would want is for our language to tarnish Christ’s name. Instead, we should not participate in gossip; hold our tongues and pray when
tempted to lash out. And most especially, when convicted by the Holy Spirit about saying anything, LISTEN!
The more time we spend saturating our hearts and minds with the things of God through His Word, fellowship with other Believers, and church attendance, the more our words will reflect the love and grace of Christ.
Purity Should Define Your Actions
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Years ago, my husband, children, and I visited a Christmas tree farm to select our tree. Sometimes it can get frustrating with each person's idea of “the perfect tree,” and if it’s freezing or people are hungry, tempers can flare. This particular year, we
were all behaving like a good Christian family. A couple recognized us from a church where my husband had filled in as a pulpit speaker and greeted us. After the person left, I said to my husband, “Aren’t you glad we were acting like a Pastor and his family today?” lol.
Whether you are a Pastor, a Pastor’s wife, or a servant of the Lord, we are all called to act in a manner that pleases the Lord. When we start our day asking God to move in us in all that we think, say, and do, He will bless us with pure actions. It takes discipline, but you can see the progression of obedience when purity rules your mind, and words pour forth grace through your deeds.
Live Purely With All Your Dealing With Others
And you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31
Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s too peopley out there.” Let’s face it. It can be like that. Being around a lot of people can be overstimulating. Even as a Pastor’s wife, when I leave church on Sunday mornings, I find myself sighing with relief that I am alone. I am an introvert, and it takes a lot out of me to be intentional with everyone. But no matter how much it goes outside of my comfort zone, I do it with genuineness out of love for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
It’s essential not to let our inward emotions influence how we treat another person. Have you ever gone to a store and found the cashier to be miserable? I'm actually surprised when someone in a front-facing job is friendly to me. That’s a sad commentary. I always make a point to tell them how refreshing their kindness was.
Even if we have had a bad day or dislike our jobs, it is essential to show grace to others. In doing so, you will actually feel better. Purity in words and action when dealing with someone else is a balm to our souls.
Sadly, our families probably see the worst of us. Because we are so comfortable with them, we take liberty with how we treat them. This should not be the case. In fact, our homes are a training ground for our life in Heaven with the body of Christ.
Instead, we must take care to serve our families exceptionally. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves" Philippians 2:3
When you choose to live purely in your interactions with others, you are literally showing the hands and feet of Christ. This will come naturally when your mind, speech, actions, and deeds have all come under the obedience of the Holy Spirit’s convictions and you listen immediately. After all, our Heavenly Father is guiding us to a life filled with peace and joy when we walk in Christian purity.
Questions.org sums up the deeper call of Christian purity perfectly. “When our hearts are clouded with impurities, we cannot experience God’s presence or hear His voice. But when our claim to righteousness is based on what Jesus has done (Titus 3:5), we
will strive to forsake sin (1 John 3:9) and live in purity of heart, enjoying fellowship with the God of purity.”
Holy Spirit, help me to answer the deeper call of Christian purity in all that I think, say, do, and in how I treat others. In Jesus' Name, Amen
What area of Christian purity do you struggle the most with?
What steps will you take this week to answer the deeper call of Christian purity?
Photo Credit: ©Tetiana Shyshkina/Unsplash
