Intentional Christianity: Be Pure

Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 13b-20
Related Sunday School Lesson Family Bible Series, January 9

Cliches of contemporary culture are boldly proclaimed in the media. Phrases such as: "If it feels good, do it!" "To each his own!" "Each person should live in light of what is truth for them." Over the past few years high profile cases have dominated news stories, all the way from a former President violating his marriage vows to an attempt at legally redefining marriage. Usually these cliches are flaunted as a justification of a lifestyle outside the bounds of traditional morality.

Underlying this shift in contemporary culture is the denial of absolute truth. Many embrace a philosophy that people are free to do as they please. As a result of this, self-control in sexuality is practiced by fewer and fewer people. In fact, Christians who hold high the Biblical standards of sexual purity are often viewed as strange and are frequently ridiculed.

We saw this several years ago when Ted Turner, who pioneered the explosion of cable television, said in a meeting of the National Newspaper Association, "The Ten Commandments are out of date and irrelevant to current global problems. Nobody here pays much attention to them because they are too old." He also told the Dallas Morning News that "Christianity is for losers!"

But God has called us to swim against the tide of popular culture. The Bible clearly teaches that sexual desires are only to be expressed in a life-long, monogamous relationship between a man and a woman. We must live our lives according to this Biblical standard of purity.

Pure Standards (Romans 12:1-2)

" ... present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice ... do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind ... " (12:1-2 NAS).

For the Christian, this Biblical standard of purity initially requires two commitments. First, we must present our bodies on the altar of God. From the top of our heads to the bottom of our feet, and to the deepest part of our inward being, we are dedicating ourselves to following God's standard of purity.

Second, we must be transformed by allowing the Word of God to permeate our minds. This transformation comes about as we incorporate Scripture into the very recesses of our hearts and souls. Meditation on the Bible not only purifies our minds but also provides the correct things our thoughts should dwell upon (Philippians 4:8).

Think About It ... Is there any area in your life that controls you, rather than you, it?

Pure Change (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

" ... do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God ... such were some of you ... but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ ... " (6:9, 11 NAS).

A small boy dialed "O" and asked the operator to call a number for him. He didn't speak clearly, so she couldn't understand him. After repeating it four times, he blurted out, "You operators are dumb," and slammed down the receiver.

Hearing this, his mother was shocked. She called the operator and made the boy apologize.

Later, when his mother left the room, the lad got on the phone again. "Is this the same operator I talked to a little while ago?" "Yes," came the reply. "Well," said the boy, "I still think you're dumb!"

That boy's apology is reminiscent of a missing element in the lives of many Christians - genuine repentance. Facing up to sin is frequently forced upon us by our getting caught or by embarrassing circumstances. But too often there's no change of heart, no new action, and no new motivation.

Donald Grey Barnhouse told of a Sunday School teacher who once asked a class what was meant by the word "repentance." A little boy put up his hand and said, "It is being sorry for your sins." A little girl also raised her hand and said, "It is being sorry enough to quit." This little girl had the right idea.

The good news is that change is possible for anyone who comes to Christ in repentance of their sins.

No matter how much we have failed, there is hope. Change is available by the power of God. Pre-marital Sex ... Violation of Marriage Vows ... Sex with the Same Gender ... Impurity through Pornography ... All can be forgiven! Change can take place! God's power is available! There is hope!

Think About It ... Anytime we sin, it becomes easier to "cross the line" and commit that same sin again. This is particularly true in the area of sexual sins. What means has God provided for Christians to break free of this powerful hold? (See James 5:16; Galatians 5:16-24, 6:1-3).

Pure Ownership (1 Corinthians 6:13b-20)

" ... the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord ... flee immorality ... your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit ... for you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." (6:13, 18-20 NAS).

God did not create us to be immoral people. We are to flee immorality because God created us for Himself. In fact, through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, the price for our sins has been paid.

We have been bought with a precious and high price. As we receive the gift of eternal life that God offers through Christ, our bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit.

God does not want us to take our bodies and defile them through impure living. He created us to fulfill our sexual desires only through the life-long monogamous relationship of marriage between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24-25; Proverbs 5:18-21; Romans 1:21-32).

Any other means of sexual fulfillment is immoral and violates God's clear standards.

True fulfillment only comes as we realize what God has done for us, and as we live out His will for our lives. Based upon this, we affirm God's rule and reign in our lives and submit to his standards.

Think About It ... Do you allow God free reign to any area of your life? Would you be embarrassed before God or His church by any of your present actions? Will you acknowledge and allow God to be Lord of your life?

Biblical Truth ... Because Christians belong to God, they are to live according to Biblical standards of moral and sexual purity.