Purity Is Not A Gift

“Purity is not a gift-it is the result of repentance and serious pursuit of God.” Frances J. Roberts.

I am bothered by a current trend in today’s churches. There has been a move away from holiness, in the name of tolerance and a profession of a move away from “false religion.” What is being sacrificed is a true purity; a setting of the standard that is above that which the world lives by. While it is true that the world will know we are Christians by our love, it is also true that we have been called to be perfect and holy. In the past man has placed unattainable expectations on those that follow Christ, but it now seems that any expectation of excellence is seen as an unnatural constraint and an enemy to the freedom to be found in Christ, but this is just not so my friends.

The fundamental church as of late has been disturbed by the attack on their freedom to speak specifically about certain sexual sins. Just the mention of sin in this area results in a barrage of defensive words including, intolerant, religious right, bigotry, hate mongers, and the like. In all fairness, some groups do preach hatred against those that practice such things, but the concern for present immorality and its pervasiveness upon today’s society does not equal hatred. The same should ring true for internal church matters. Standards should be higher, there should be a respect for the house of the Lord, its ministers and there should remain a desire to stand apart, a desire to be pure. Instead, the request that morality should be expressed in matters of dress, speech, and actions are met with the same barrage of defensive speech. Those who call for such things are termed religious, as if that’s a dirty word. They are also termed intolerant, inflexible and behind the times. Again, the mere concern that we are becoming part of the world instead of remaining separate does not equal judgment, but is a show of concern that we are becoming like the world instead of becoming a light to the world.

I John tells us that that since “He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him (2:29).” God has called us his children and what a blessing this is. When Christ returns for His church, we will be changed instantly when we see Him. Those that have that hope allow themselves to be purified, just as Christ is pure. (I John 3:3)

Mind you, the outward isn’t the only measure of righteousness, but it is a measure of it. This is where the error is made manifest. Those that proclaim you are righteous if you look the part are indeed wrong, for man looks with the eyes, but God sees the heart. But there are those who are practicing an outward form of righteousness as an expression of an inner work that has been or is being perfected. These should not be condemned as if they are practicing dead works.

There is supposed to be a balance between acceptance and a setting of standards. I Timothy clearly addresses this in chapter 4. Paul warns against deceiving doctrines and those that preach impossible standards of living. Then he goes on to say that we should be “nourished in the words of faith and of good doctrine.” (6) He also says that we are to “be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (12) By preaching and living sound doctrine we will save ourselves and those who hear us. (16)

Love is, of course, first, but even Christ chastises us because He loves us. Correction does not equal condemnation, but in most cases is a show of love and a desire for growth, maturity, and spiritual well being. May we be mindful that others are watching and using us for an example. May our words, actions, and demeanor cause them to be drawn towards Christ and not to the world.