Purity
I’d be surprised if this makes it past the filters
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But among you there must not be either [s*xual] immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints.
Ephesians 5:3 (NET)
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Well, no warning against rock ‘n roll but the s*x and money is in there.
Both taboo topics to the email filters.
And, generally taboo topics to discuss in church. Which is a shame because the Bible has a lot to say — some good, mostly bad & ugly though — about these topics.
In short, honor God with the stewardship of your body and your resources.
I suppose you could lump in the use of time there, too, since most people believe that time is money. Regardless, Paul is making it clear that we are to look different than the world.
Jesus clearly looked different from the world.
If we are to be imitators of Christ, then we ought to stand out too.
The world has made purity a mark of shame.
There’s an old cliché: when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
It’s a way to blend in to the crowd, to avoid looking like a goofball when you’re lost or don’t understand what the cultural norms are.
Completely useless as a guideline for the Christian.
Instead, we are to break the rules, stand apart from the crowd, and be the shining light on the dark hill.
It turns out that everyone can see bright lights. They get noticed.
So, too, does our lifestyle of purity.
One last thing: remember that God forgives sins and even if you’ve not lived a pure life, you can always confess your sins, repent, and start fresh today.
After all, God is in the business of transforming lives.
Especially impure ones.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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