Pure (Me)ssiah

Contrasting those called and committed to serving Christ as opposed to those serving themselves, Titus 1:15 says “To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.” That’s pretty brutal.

Paul is here writing to young minister Titus, explaining that purity is a mindset, an outlook, a way of life. It is a training of the eyes, a restraint of the tongue, an ordering of the mind, and the character of the heart. And they all go together. You are either pure, or you’re not. It is a way to distinguish two classes of people.

Oh, it’s never quite that easy. No one is perfect, and there are gaps and faults. But for the pure, the reign of purity works persuasively to stamp out impurity. Whereas, for the impure, any quest for purity is short-armed and short-lived. Further, I am not saying that an impure person is as putrid as possible. An impure person can be satisfied with an ‘acceptable’ level of impurity. He might leer at women but leave children alone, feeling self-righteous along the way. But make no mistake. He is not pure. 

We have to admit that impurity is the norm; purity, the exception. So where does purity come from? James 3:17 says that “wisdom from above is first pure …” It comes from above; from outside of ourselves. It comes from a relationship with the only person who walked this earth in perfect purity - from Jesus, who gives a new heart to us, by faith in Him, that deeply desires to be like him.

When we live in a society made up of impure people, we must always be on guard against people who want to use us for their own purposes. It may take place ‘merely’ in their eyes or minds - and so, as they say, where’s the harm? But please, don’t believe their flatteries; and, seriously, don’t make any kind of deal with them. Their friendship is good only so long as you are easy, and so long as the sacrifices required to maintain the relationship are cheap. 

But then, imagine living in a society made up of those who walk in purity, not because they have to, but because they are pure. They are free to look at you with love, not lust; and they want what is best, for you. They are willing to share, and serve, and sacrifice, because they already have what they need - a relationship with One who Himself is pure, and they are experiencing the benefits. 

Consider switching sides today. Move to the Messiah, Jesus, the only One anointed and appointed to lead you into purity.