Worthy Examples! (part 6 of 9)

WORTHY EXAMPLES! (part 6 of 9)
In Purity!

Paul encouraged Timothy:
“. . . BUT SET THE BELIEVERS AN EXAMPLE . . . in PURITY, . . . ” ( 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV)

“Oh a little bit doesn’t hurt!” Have you ever said or thought those words as you tried to rationalize doing something you deep down really knew was not right? Consider this: How much manure will you accept in your drinking water? I would guess, like me, you prefer your drinking water pure! We enjoy drinking water that is cold and fresh, not that which contains impurities. Should we not also have the same aim regarding what we drink into our life?

James exhorted:
“(26) If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. (27) Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to KEEP ONESELF UNSTAINED FROM THE WORLD.” ( James 1:26-27 ESV)

The New International Version brings out the idea of being unpolluted. That’s the way I want my drinking water and that’s what God desires for our lives. Are we aiming to live holy lives, unpolluted by the things of the world? Inconsistency in this area does not provide a worthy example, nor does it reveal we are taking our religion seriously. In a world where “anything goes” there is the great need for more and more examples of purity.

Have a great day PURELY EXEMPLIFYING GODLINESS!
Carl

============
[This focus was originally sent 11/04/1999 (Edited some with passages changed to ESV)]

See other teEn-MAIL on Example