Christians are expected to live differently from people of the world.
Rather than indulging fleshly desires, we are told to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Such cleansing initially occurs when we obey the gospel. Our sins are washed away when we are baptized into Christ (cf. Revelation 1:5; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3- 4). Afterward, we must live in a righteous, upright manner.
The apostle Peter made this point when he wrote: “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12).
Both our words and our deeds should point others to God (Matthew 5:16). We have a choice. We must choose purity. To do so, we must “keep [ourselves] unspotted from the world” (James 1:27).
Purity in Heart.
When Scripture discusses purity, it often focuses on the heart of man. Jesus did this when He preached: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
Paul did the same thing when he encouraged Timothy: “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).
Additionally, Scripture reminds us that purity should characterize the things we think about (Philippians 4:8), and it commands us to maintain purity in our actions (1 Timothy 5:22). As Christians, we should seek to have pure religion (James 1:27).
Ultimately, purity requires gospel obedience and individual holiness. Peter emphasized the need for both components when he wrote:
“Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who has called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
We must place our trust in God’s grace; we must live in a way that honors Him.
Purity in Conduct.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, the apostle Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to live pure lives. He was concerned with their conduct, and he reminded them about God’s will for their behavior (verse 3).
Summarizing the point, Paul wrote: “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness” (verse 7).
Holiness is required. Without holiness, we will not “see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Chad Ramsey preaches for the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi. You can access their Bible classes and Chad’s sermons on Gloster Street’s YouTube page.
Chad was - and still is - “my preacher” from when I spent my high school and early college years at Gloster Street. I’m thankful to be able to share some of his writings with you.
Laodiceans miss all these verses. The seats would be empty every Sunday in our apostate “churches” if Pastors were serious about holiness.
Avoiding temptation and "fleshly lusts which war against the soul" can being quite difficult but the effort seems to be worth it in the end.