Studies show that when you start to talk about purity and holiness, 70% of people go into their “shell”, because it makes people feel uncomfortable. Yet when we distance ourselves from purity and holiness, we are distancing ourselves from God. Purity is God’s standard, and we need to imitate this standard through our character, conduct, and conversation. Ephesians 5:1-4 says: “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children, and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” As children of God we are already righteous, but we must pursue and strive for purity to imitate the Father. Purity and Holiness can be defined into three categories: Purity in our Motives: Doing what the Lord says guarantees the blessing. “But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so -- not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer -- he will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25). As you can see, the blessing comes from doing. There needs to be action, and more importantly, the right motive behind our actions. Why do you sing in the choir? Why do you clean the church? Why do you volunteer to usher? “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds” (Jer. 17:10). God will reward us according to what we do, He sees our hearts and knows the reasons behind our actions. Purity in our Relationships: Purity also applies our one to one relationships with others. We should not be plotting against someone while still claiming them a friend. In addition, we do not want to have enemies, God loves everyone, and so should we. The moment we became believers, God calls us to leave grudges behind. For “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance ” (2 Peter 3:9). Yet to do this, we must put purity to practice, but it does not come easily. It is not part of our natural human capacity to love, but with God’s mercy we can say “…herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16). Purity in our Lifestyles: People have said “it doesn’t matter how you dress, your salvation is in your heart”. However, how you dress may not be a good definition of whether you are a Christian or not, but it will be a good definition of the kind of salvation you have. How we present ourselves, including the church is vital to our Christianity. God looks at our appearance and dressing, and whatever we put in will come out. Matt. 12:34 says: “…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh”. The heart and lips are connected. Whatever we put into our heart with movies, books, and our environment will direct the course of our lives. There are two great powers on earth. One is God and His kingdom and the other is Satan and his kingdom. These powers seek the consent of our will to serve them.
Satan, the master of the kingdom of this world, has many offers and promises for our services: a delightful and easy life with much pleasure, dancing, shows, gambling, card playing, drug and alcohol parties, and other entertainment. The devil delights in helping us to fulfill all our selfish desires. But dear friends, he never promises us anything for the hereafter. He never tells us about the great payday that is coming, nor about his subjects who are all awaiting their reward of "everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. 25:30-46). Neither does Satan remind us that he is the origin of all sin, shame, disappointment, and sorrow, resulting in physical and spiritual death. Oh, what a cruel master! The other Master is the Lord God. Note His position: "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matt. 28:18). We may wonder what this Master has to offer in exchange for our service to Him. The Master's own words are, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Song, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). The first great promise is that we shall live forever. "But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life" (Mark 10:30). Thus we see Christ the Lord has something real, blessed, and lasting to give to those who faithfully serve Him, both now and in the life hereafter. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him" (1 Cor. 2:9). How glorious indeed will the heavenly reward of the Lord be! How different from that of Satan! In order to receive great blessings from this all-powerful Master, we must yield ourselves fully to Him and obey His Word with all our hearts. We need to turn from sin, confess, and forsake our sinful lives. He then asks us to deny ourselves the lusts of the flesh. We need to live pure, sober, and honest lives, to visit the sick, help the poor, love everybody, and pray for all men. So now dear friend, which master will you choose? (From The Gospel Tract & Bible Society-Manitoba, Canada) 1- Complacency
2- Taking each other for Granted 3- Not paying attention 4- Not enough time together 5- Lack of Communication 6- sweeping issues under the carpet 7- Unresolved arguments 8- Conflicting values 9- The other woman 10- Negative Influence Faith Dominion Marriage+ relationship Management Seminar
By Rev. Darwin Pichette 5th Annual Faith Dominion Conference |
AuthorPst. Paul Omonua Archives
June 2023
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