Purity

Is being purified only for the men of the cloth? Well let's see what the Bible says. In the book of 2Samuel David sang a song to the Lord. He says at verse 25 The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight. What a wonderful phrase, and heartfelt passage, to be able to sing about the good things the Lord has bless you with. It is also good to ask for forgiveness, in the book of Psalm 51:10 it says Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Now in Psalm 199:9 it says How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from you commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. In the book of Isaiah 52:11 it says Depart, Depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the vessels of the Lord. But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

In the book of Matthew 5:8 it says Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. It says in the book of 1Timothy 5:22 it says Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgement ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.

Now look in the book of Hebrews 13:4 it says Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Now look at what John wrote in 1John 3:1 it says How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear Friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

In the book of Titus 2:11 it says For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say NO to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Now in the book of 1John 1:8 it says If we claim to be without sins, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

In the book of 2Corinthians 6:3 it says We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will now be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness, in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

In conclusion look at the book of Philippians 4:8 it says Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Love Always,
Your Sister in Christ,
Mellody Davis

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