
Varlen
Why Purity?
This is something I wrote in my blog at
Lampstand Christian Forum Community, here are some
highlights:
Why Purity?!
This is the question I have been trying to find an
answer to for the longest time, and have yet to
grasp as far as the Biblical model as presented by
Paul in 1 Corinthians.
In Hebrews, the writer warns, "Marriage should be
honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for
God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually
immoral." (Vs. 4) But what happens to those, who
may NEVER have a marriage bed? Paul urges purity in
1 Corinthians:
"The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but
for the Lord, and the Lord for the body."
6:13b...
..."I would like you to be free from concern. An
unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's
affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a
married man is concerned about the affairs of this
world—how he can please his wife— and
his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or
virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her
aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and
spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the
affairs of this world—how she can please her
husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to
restrict you, but that you may live in a right way
in undivided devotion to the Lord." 7:32-35
Concern for the affairs of the Lord, and pleasing
the Lord. But is this enough of a reason to
motivate someone to pursue purity in this day and
age? I wish it were so, with me. Jesus said, "You
have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit
adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at
a woman lustfully has already committed adultery
with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28 NIV) which
can include pornography, and of which I am gulity
of, even as of late. Singleness has been described
as a gift, but it is one gift that I do NOT really
want. I want to be a husband and a father, but
looking at myself, it does not seem possible. So,
again I ask, "Why Purity?"
Anyone who wants to give some insights or
encouragements or whatever, please, give your
comments. Thanks.
And if you want to read the entire blog entry, go
here: http://www.lampstandstudy.com/forum/blogs/titus212/why-purity-58/
A must read is Kris Vallotton's book "Purity -
The New Moral Revolution." You gotta check it
out.
by Elizabeth, 1 year, 7 months ago
I feel it is the great challenge in our Christian
lives to move to a higher standard of living. We
need to be transparent about our lives, set high
standards and show mercy with other people.
by Brent, 1 year, 7 months ago
I have heard it said (and I agree) that the
purpose of purity is God's presence. Psalm 24:3-4
says,
"Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may
stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands
and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul
to an idol or swear by what is false."
There is nothing more beautiful or necessary than
the presence of God, here on earth. And when we
walk in purity there is a closeness and intimacy
with God which is unbroken. I have experienced
this myself. For 10 years I struggled with porn
addiction, and God set me free. Now I have a
continual, unbroken peace with God.
So the purpose of purity (I think) is NOT purity
itself, but to be experience intimate
relationship with our Father.
Hope this helps!
Scott.
by Scott, 1 year, 6 months ago
Scott you are so right when we are walking in
freedom and peace it is wonderful experience. It
is all about our relationship with the heavenly
Father. The more we allow him to control and
direct our lives, he will use us for his
glory.
by Brent, 1 year, 6 months ago
Years ago when I was in the Navy I met this young
lady that all the Christian guys fell in love
with. She was so innocent so niave so pure. I
believe we fell in love with Holy spirit that was
in her. I know with in myself when I am living
for God I attract people and I can love them. But
when I am not I have a hard time talking with
them and they don't seem to come around me as
much. That is how sin affects us. That is also
how purity affects us. I need to live my life for
God as we all do.
Purity is a big thing if there is sin in our
lives it seems our prayers will not go beyond the
ceiling of the room we are in.
by pjrey, 1 year, 6 months ago
@pjrey
You bring up a great point in your closing
sentence! I know we've talked about it in the
office before too, that feeling of, "If I'm
sinning is God really hearing my prayers?" I
don't have an answer to the question though,
because I know I've asked myself before and felt
like I didn't get an answer, haha. The "easy"
answer is to refer to Grace... but that doesn't
necessarily put me at ease when I know I'm in the
wrong.
So basically, all that's to say... I dunno.
by Tyler, 1 year, 6 months ago
In Matthew 5 "only the pure in heart will see
God", as well as the other scriptures mentioned,
as Christians I'll presume we all "want to see
God", God's Presence as it was put in an earlier
comment.
I'm not going to say we are all destined to sin
so go ahead, but I will say or at least
repeat/para phrase Biblical teaching: If you say
you haven't sinned, you are a liar. When you sin,
you have an advocate, Jesus Christ who died for
your sin. When you ask forgiveness, God forgives
you your sin and cleanses ALL
unrighteousness.
I believe that is the key, again, not to sin so
grace abounds (may it never be), but repent, ask
forgiveness and walk in that forgiveness and holy
cleanliness, and I believe that's as close as any
of us will be to "pure", since in the one sense,
we're all guilty of falling short of God's glory,
so we are stained and impure, without the Blood
of Jesus.
Having said all that, Purity is of the Lord
alone, Jesus died for sinners, took the curse of
sin/disobedience on Himself at the Cross, and
impute/imparted HIS Purity and Holiness and
Blamelessness/Spotlessness to/on/in us.
What a deal! ;)
Matchless love, who can compare?
Try focusing on Jesus and God's faithfulness and
mercy, give Him the Praise and Glory, and I
believe you'll find yourself agreeing, you're as
pure as you'll ever be, and it's an awesome gift
from God!
by littlemiamijeff, 1 year, 2 months ago
"Why purity?" was always presented to me as
"because God says so" ... thats it. (I came from
an ultra conservative Baptist background) I
dedicated my life to Christ when I was 10 years
old, not becuase I loved Jesus, but out of a
sense of duty, and fear of the alternative (who
wants to burn in hell?). For me growing up, going
to church was something I endured because it was
the right thing to do, not something I wanted to
do.
And perhaps some of that attitude has affected my
walk as an adult. I know that Jesus loves me, but
I can't get past my image of God as the harsh
judge, just waiting to fling us into hell if we
make one mis-step. I am seeking putity not
becuase I hate porn, but becuase I know God
expects it of me, and my wife expects it of me.
Porn still holds a huge attraction to me that I
have to beat away with prayer every day. I still
haven't found anything that calms my anxiety like
porn does ... not even prayer. Ok, you can tell
me thats because I am spiritually immature ... I
can take it ... cause I know I am a spiritual
weekling.
Well, thats my experience anyway. I don't expect
anybody to feel sorry for me, and I don't intend
to excuse my addiction--I do know its wrong--and
I am tyring to fight it--even though fighinting
it makes me feel like I am giving up my best
friend.
by flathillfarm, 1 year, 2 months ago
WhyPurity.org is a website that has been up for
about a year now to address this exact subject,
and has helped and encouraged many. The article
"Find Me Please"
(http://whypurity.org/Home/FindMePlease) really
hits deep when it comes to the longing and the
loneliness you have to deal with as a
single.
I also have had the struggle with pornography,
and know (from experiance) that even if you can
put it asside, it will come back and grab you.
It'll be a struggle for the rest of your life.
But forgiveness will always be there!
BE ENCOURAGED because God grants the desires of
our hearts, and if He has given you the desire to
be a husband and father, He has given you the
disire so that He might fullfill it. You just
have to wait for His time, and the woman He made
for you.
Blessings upon you from the Savior!
Erika
by Erika, 1 year, 1 month ago