Is Mainstream Christianity’s Idea of Purity Out of Whack?

Even the word “purity” can bring fear and confusion to people who have been beaten up by guilt. Especially if it is related to Christian purity.It is not a word of condemnation, but of who God is and what He’s like. He began the Garden with purity and Jesus restored it.

To be pure is to be without blemish. Jesus has made it possible for us to walk in purity in every aspect of our lives, not just sexual purity. It seems to me that the church culture is heavy on purity in sexual relationships, but not in every day life. I believe oftentimes Mainstream Christianity gets it out of whack. I know abstinence was hammered into my head at almost every youth event. That’s what we do with Christian Purity.Not that being forthright regarding saving your virginity until marriage is bad. I’m just saying that there is so much more to it! We don’t want to see The Bride of Christ all dressed for the occasion, but out of sync with what’s really in His heart for us.

I am grateful for the revelation and grace I received from Jesus through leaders. It saved me a ton of heartache. However, I wish keeping my heart and mind pure had been emphasized as much or more than my body when it came to Christian purity. Envy, self-pity, coarse language and pride to name a few are as deadly to us as pre-marital sex and I’d even suggest the root cause of much more trouble.

Putting intimacy and deep fellowship with Jesus first in your heart, mind and then body is the order I believe we see in Scripture. To quote one of my favorite En Vogue songs from the 90s, “Free your mind and the rest will follow!”

Titus 1:15

To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.

Jesus desires that we walk in simple devotion to Him and allow Him to lead us in His pure ways. If you fall short, He is faithful and will not only forgive you but cleanse you. I always knew He really forgave me, but I didn’t realize He also tenderly washed me off so that I could be clean, restored and ready to go for it again! No longer do you have to fear purity, but you are free to pursue it knowing it is part of what Jesus paid for you to have on the cross. When we pursue purity with our whole heart that will put first things first.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 3:3

And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

I encourage you to take a moment and confess where you’ve not walked in purity. Ask for His forgiveness, tell everything you’ve allowed into your soul to take a hike, in Jesus’ name. Receive His gentle cleansing and restoration. Then go and sin no more. You’ll be glad you took Jesus up on His Word. Run, baby, run in the joy of one who is cleansed and forgiven!

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