Purity

Introduction

William Barclay in his commentary on Thessalonians writes, “Christianity is supremely the champion of purity.” What does that mean to you? First understand the meaning of the word “champion.” A champion is not just one who wins. To champion a cause means to be a militant advocate or defender. Christianity is supremely the militant advocate, the defender of purity. Imagine the scene of Christianity personified. He stands as a muscular man with a drawn highly polished sword. He stands in front of Purity. He stands ready to defend and to attack any who should come to hurt her. For her part, Purity is standing behind Christianity with a look of security and safety. Like a little sister standing behind her big brother.

Does that image exist? Did it ever exist? Perhaps in our mind’s eye we would like to believe it did exist at one time, but one thing is certain. If there is a champion of purity it will have to come from Christians. Little is sacred in our culture except tolerance. Little remains holy. Purity is a lost word and concept in our culture. Nothing compares to the power of Christ to change a life; to break the chains of slavery to sin; to rescue us from hell; to offer us dignity, hope, and reconciliation. Only those who know Christ can know the power needed to walk in purity. But desiring purity and walking in it are two different things.

Scripture acknowledges the difficulty of walking in purity. Paul in Galatians 5:17 writes, “for the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” The Bible gives us a balanced view. Coming to Christ does not remove temptations or the desires of the body, but coming to Christ does give us the power to maintain moral purity. If anyone is going to champion the cause of purity in this world, it will be Christians. But the challenges of such a daunting task have never been greater.

Moral Erosion

In 1939 the release of a major motion picture caused quite a stir. Gone With the Wind hit the screen with a four-letter word that raised eyebrows of movie goers around the world. Has much changed since 1939? Do four letter words raise eyebrows? Not often. We have gone from four letter words at the end of a movie to four letter words on the television screen. We have gone from back alley store fronts carrying pornography to Internet access with images that go beyond magazines. We have drifted. But this is not to suggest that previous generations were pure. Far from it. But there is a boldness, an unblushing brashness that none can deny. And yet God calls us to purity.

In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul exhorts his readers to avoid sexual immorality. This command includes any sexual misconduct. The word “avoid” means to “abstain.” An archaic word with the right emphasis. Christians are to abstain from sexual immorality. Christians and abstinence go together. He tells these readers that they must learn to control their bodies. But this is not the only place where God’s people are told to control their bodies.

Our bodies are to be living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1). We are told not to allow our bodies to be used as instruments of unrighteousness to sin (Romans 6:12-13). Our bodies belong to Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15). Our bodies are “temples” inhabited by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). Therefore, we are expected to “glorify God” in our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Our bodies can lead us off course. Don’t misunderstand. Our bodies are not evil. But God gave us a number of appetites and desires. These desires are not bad, but we must learn how to control them so that we avoid dishonoring God with our body. If anyone is going to champion purity it will be Christians. How then do we champion purity? Let me suggest some very specific things that we need to consider as we talk about purity.

You remember the joke about the man who goes to the doctor and he says, “Doc, it hurts when I do this.” And the doctor’s reply is “Well then don’t do that.” An old joke but one that carries some relevancy besides comic relief. First, if we are going to champion purity then let’s avoid things which diminishes our resolve to be pure.

We need to choose what our eyes see. If you cannot control what you watch on t.v. then it may be time to get rid of it. It is better to lose television than to lose your purity to Satan. The same goes for the Internet. Drop it. There are far worse things than not having access to the World Wide Web. If Internet is necessary then get a trusted friend or spouse to install anti-pornography software with a password which only they know.

We need to speak more carefully. God’s name is taken in vain with great regularity. “Oh my god” is the new expletive. Crude and lewd jokes are told without regard for purity. Our language has become casual and more in tune with slang than with the character of God.

Second, if we are going to champion purity then let’s become active in protecting her. Let’s fill our minds with wholesome things. Surround yourself with wholesome activities. Make sure that you are reading your Bible. Spend as much time with your Bible as you do with your newspaper. Find good books to read. Read things which encourage rather than discourage.

Finally, be accountable. We have a responsibility not only to God but to each other to champion the cause of purity. We belong not only to him but to each other. 1 Corinthians 12:14-27 paint a vivid picture of mutual concern, mutual interest, and mutual accountability. We are not isolated islands separate and without identity. Nor are we to respond with casual indifference when one of our brothers or sisters slides into impurity. We are intertwined. We are not isolated. Purity is a group matter. In the final analysis, it is God’s name which is at stake.

God wants moral purity. It is because he wants moral purity that we correct each other and it is because he wants moral purity that with love and compassion we plead for our wayward brothers and sisters to return to what God intended. We do not hold ourselves up with moral superiority but with humility we approach all to return to God’s call for purity. And we allow each other to know that impurity does not mean that one cannot be forgiven. With godly sorrow one returns and we reach out to that brother or sister with a desire to love them as God has loved us.

So let me end with some hard questions. Are you a Christian who has started to slip into impurity? Are you willing to deal with it completely? That is, are you ready to get rid of that thing or person which is aiding you in impurity? Are you willing to get close enough to another Christian to admit your weakness, asking for his or her help in overcoming the problem? Are you willing to confront a brother or sister in God’s family who is compromising his or her purity? Would you pray that God would use you to be the person of humility who confronts loving and compassionately?

Blatantly our culture has slapped the face of purity. Who will join the fight and defend that which is God’s will? Who will have the courage to defend purity? It will be easier if we do this together.

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