DIscernment: What is Pure?

Jesus gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Titus 2:14
 
One of the things Paul tells us to dwell on is purity. To be pure means to be undefiled, to not be contaminated with anything. To be a pure person means to not be mixed up with anything that corrupts the soul. It is a pretty tall order, especially in the world we live today. It is a lot easier for us to settle for the impure than to search for, or strive after, the pure. If we aren’t careful we end up settling for something less than what God has promised us.

​When God created He called it good. His creation was pure. That is what He is at work redeeming us to. He isn’t redeeming us to something less than perfect or less than good. He is a holy God who demands that we too be holy (Lev. 19:2). At first we might want to push back and say that is too high of a standard, there is no way we can ever live up to that, or feel as if it is an unrealistic expectation. But, would God demand something of us that was impossible for us to achieve? 

Well, in our own strength, it is impossible. That is why God sent Jesus – to purify us. When we settle for anything less than pure we are ignoring the work Jesus accomplished on the cross. It is possible for us to live a life free from slavery to sin. It is possible for us to live a life of integrity.  It is possible for us to live a life completely sold out to God. It’s possible because of Jesus. So, don’t settle for anything less than what God has promised.  Strive and search for the purity God has for you.

Pastor Matt