Thursday 9 July 2020

Example of purity

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. – 1 Timothy 4.12

Purity is a virtue that has always given us trouble. From the very earliest records, in the word of God and other places, impurity has always been recorded and always caused problems. When ancient cities and civilisation are uncovered archaeologist always find statues and carving and hieroglyphs and tilework and paintings that show man at his lustful worse so it is surely nothing new.

But now impurity is literally all around us. When we go online or look on Facebook or turn on the television or go out into public we are battered with impure images, and the problem is that no one, even many Christians, seem to be the least bit bothered by it. Things that we may have been shocked by just a few years ago are now kind of overlooked and winked at.

It is hard to maintain purity in a world like this – but that doesn’t make it any less important and any less a way to be an example to the world.  In fact it may be more important than ever. Those who love morally pure lives are going to stand out in a crowd. We may be made fun at or mocked or laughed at, especially when young, but thing about the impact when people see that we our faith keeps us pure no matter what else.

Purity is not something we can choose on the spot and at the moment. It must be part of our character, kind of like when when he determined before hand that he would not be defiled with the king’s delights.

An example of purity is going to make a real difference in our world. Are we willing to make that difference?

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