A Life of Purity in a World of Moral Pollution

Introduction

Purity in character must become a top priority for us! We must not be content with being anything less than the best. Would you describe yourself as being pure?  How is your Christian life? There are a number of passages that speak on the need for purity in our personal lives: Psalm 24:3-5; Mt. 5:8; 1 Tim. 5:22; James 4:8; 1 John 3:2-3. Purity is an absolute necessity with righteous living.

I.  Purity starts on the inside.

A.   Pro. 4:23; 23:7 – the importance stressed here.

B.    Mt. 5:8 – Jesus sums up importance of keeping heart pure.

C.    Paul elaborates on this in Phil. 4:8-9

D.   2 Tim. 2:20-22. Are you a vessel of honor or dishonor?

II. Purity is seen by the way we live.

A.    If our hearts are pure, this step will be easy.

B.    Phil. 2:12-15 – we to shine as lights in world.

1.     Each one of us has awesome potential to influence others for good!

a)     Takes self-discipline! 

C.   Eph. 5:3-5 – whole context: 5:1-7.  Notice be followers of God…do not be partakers w/them.

1.     There is to be a separation from the previous things in our life.

D.   Good conduct important since others are listening/watching.

1.      Nothing will turn prospective Christians off quicker than hypocritical behavior!

2.      1 Pet. 2:11-12.

III. Purity is seen in the way we speak.

A.   Col. 4:5-6 – We need to take into account the words we speak.

B.    Eph. 4:29 – our speech needs to be that which edifies.

C.    Js. 1:19 – quick to hear; slow to speak; slow to anger.

IV. Our purity will be seen in the way we dress.

A.    Dressing modestly must be a priority for God’s kind of person.

B.    Rom. 12:1-2 – be transformed from the world.

1.     What God thinks/feels needs to be priority one.

2.     1 Jhn. 2:15-17 – principle needs to be applied in way that one dresses.

V.  The motives behind our service must be pure.

A.    Our objective behind everything we do needs to be so that we may be pleasing to God & ultimately go home to heaven.

1.     We must move with pure motives/objectives.

B.    We serve others for Jesus – Mt. 6:1-4

C.   We serve others for a heavenly reward – Mt. 25:34-40

D.   When others do something for us, we need not be cynical…or judge motives.

Conclusion

A.    How pure is your life?  Purity is a personal responsibility.