Slideshow image

The Secret of Purity

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity; nor sworn deceitfully.  Psalm 24:3-4

 

We live in the most permissive society since pagan times. Movie marquees, the covers of magazines, the Internet, billboards, television--all scream sensual messages at us. "If it feels good, do it" has become a national motto.

Yet, if you talk with people who have come to Christ out of deep sin, they will tell you that they wish they had never fallen into such sin and that they had come to Christ sooner.

Many Christian books tell of men and women who committed terrible crimes or were entangled in immorality or sensuality. We rejoice with them that Christ has redeemed and forgiven them. But how much better to have avoided such sin in the first place! God's standard has not changed: "Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2).

The secret of purity is God. When we are committed to Christ, we will shrink back from all that is impure. Instead, we will seek a pure heart--a heart cleansed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

From, HOPE for Each Day: Morning & Evening Devotions, by Billy Graham.