"To the pure, all things are pure; but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure. Indeed, both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed."
According to this passage, purity is essential. The phrase describes only those hearts which are filled with the Holy Spirit because that is the only engine that produces purity.
1 Corinthians 13 makes it clear that when it comes to serving others, your motives can disqualify your offering. Every action attains its coloring of good or evil from its point of origin which is your heart.
So, what color are your actions? Do they reflect the color of integrity, or is there a tint of sin on your activities?
If your heart is not pure then the thoughts, words, and actions that flow from it are not either.
That is Paul’s point, and he is not worried about hurting our feelings. If our hearts are unchanged we are detestable, disobedient, and worthless for any good deed.
The gospel is not “sinner friendly” … and complete re-birth and regeneration is the only path to God….and God is the only source of purity.
You will not hear that preached from very many pulpits today… but the Word of God is unambiguous. We are useless without pure hearts – which can only be attained if the Spirit of God creates one inside of us. (Psalm 51)
The litmus test of whether that has happened, is found in what you do...Your actions are your spiritual thermometer. We are saved by faith alone - but our actions define the validity of our faith. Faith without works is dead (James 2) – and only a new heart can and will produces new actions.
So, evaluate your walk – look hard in the mirror. Focus on the engine … Make sure your heart is the temple of God. His presence in your heart will lead to a life of purity.
Only then will you be able to simultaneously proclaim Him with your words - and honor Him with your walk.
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
― Brennan Manning
According to this passage, purity is essential. The phrase describes only those hearts which are filled with the Holy Spirit because that is the only engine that produces purity.
1 Corinthians 13 makes it clear that when it comes to serving others, your motives can disqualify your offering. Every action attains its coloring of good or evil from its point of origin which is your heart.
So, what color are your actions? Do they reflect the color of integrity, or is there a tint of sin on your activities?
If your heart is not pure then the thoughts, words, and actions that flow from it are not either.
That is Paul’s point, and he is not worried about hurting our feelings. If our hearts are unchanged we are detestable, disobedient, and worthless for any good deed.
The gospel is not “sinner friendly” … and complete re-birth and regeneration is the only path to God….and God is the only source of purity.
You will not hear that preached from very many pulpits today… but the Word of God is unambiguous. We are useless without pure hearts – which can only be attained if the Spirit of God creates one inside of us. (Psalm 51)
The litmus test of whether that has happened, is found in what you do...Your actions are your spiritual thermometer. We are saved by faith alone - but our actions define the validity of our faith. Faith without works is dead (James 2) – and only a new heart can and will produces new actions.
So, evaluate your walk – look hard in the mirror. Focus on the engine … Make sure your heart is the temple of God. His presence in your heart will lead to a life of purity.
Only then will you be able to simultaneously proclaim Him with your words - and honor Him with your walk.
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
― Brennan Manning
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