What do you think of when I say the words holiness, righteousness, morality, and purity? Are these types of characteristics in your life? The answer that I may receive will vary, but I pray that there are still people out there that live in God’s presence, and therefore allow themselves to be made holy, righteous, and pure, while living moral lives in His sight. This is the type of Christian lifestyle that God desires of each us. Paul taught, “having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:20,21) The Bible is clear about us living a righteous, pure, and holy life. I haven’t gotten to morality, but we’ll get to that one next. As for the three things I just mentioned, know that you will be built up in God’s armor if you live like this. But only the Lord Jesus can cleanse you and then give you the gift of the Holy Spirit, that you may walk blameless before Him in His sight. You cannot live this way on your own, but only if God is actively working in Your life.
Paul said, “know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-12) What we see here are the types of people that will not go to heaven one day, lest they repent and are covered by Jesus’s blood. Earlier I mentioned a word called “morality”. Well, the opposite word is called, “immorality”. This is when people get into such things as porn, sex outside of marriage or fornication, have relations with people who are married or adultery, and even those who have become homosexuals. All of these types of people are living in willful sin and immoral lives. So how can all this be stopped? A person must come unto Jesus, that He may cleanse them and forgive them of all their sins. Then, their humility will allow Jesus to place them on a path of righteousness, which is holiness in His sight. In this way, God will give us over to having pure thoughts while in prayer, Bible study, worship, and doing His will.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that there will be more purity, righteousness, and holiness in my life. Keep me upright and on Your path that leads to heaven. I don’t wish to have any worldly standards in my life, but only the standards that You set before me. Give me over to morals that are high because Your armor is in my life. God, I do not wish to be brought down because of temptation. Just because my flesh thinks it is pleasurable, I know that falling into sin is not worth it. It is true that sin does stink and causes us to stumble in this life. It causes us to be guilty and shameful before people, including You. We are brought far from people we love, and even You. This is the goal of the enemy and He has so many people in His clutches now. He had me as well for many years until You came and rescued me, Jesus. There was nothing different about my life from others, but You changed everything. I don’t have to worry about becoming life the wicked, for You have made me different. What a wonderful day it was when You began to move in my life. It was when I was humbled, in order to be baptized, and then receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. And what a day that was, for You poured into me like a fire from heaven. It filled my soul in a way that I had to tell everybody about You, Jesus. And it is still my prayer that people will wake up to their sins and give their lives over to You completely. Only then can You bring purity, holiness, and righteousness in their lives. A clear conscience, being worthy in Your sight. Thank You for doing this for me and others in the faith. I love You, Lord. I give You praise. Amen.
