A Christian mother was pushing her young daughter to marry a guy who was really not a good match for her. Why? “I want her to marry quickly so she doesn’t end up getting pregnant before marriage.” Hmmmmm.
To marry as a virgin should not be the goal for a Christian man or woman. To stop viewing pornography or not get involved in an immoral relationship should not be the goal for a believer. These will be byproducts but our goal should be to live a life of purity to please the Lord.
So what’s the difference? Purity goes far beyond just not being involved in sinful actions. Purity involves our heart attitudes before it ever touches our actions. That is what Jesus was referring to when he said, “anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28
A man can be a “virgin” yet have a mind filled with perverted images, twisted thoughts and sin filled desires. To keep our children from getting pregnant before marriage is such a low goal for their lives. We should be striving to instill in them a hunger for all God has for them. A passion for purity, a heart for His will above all other things, a world-view that lives for eternity – seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness.
Purity is also a life long goal, in fact, a lifestyle. A lifestyle of purity is as important for the married person as for the single person, for the young adult as for the senior saint. It is not something that just happens because you get older, it is a goal that can only be reached by those with a sincere desire to please the Lord, a longing to stand before Him with “clean hands and a pure heart”.
Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, … (Psalms 24:3-4)Join us Sunday 10 and 11:30 AM for more on a Passion for Purity.