pure grace
"Everyone who has this hope based on Him keeps himself pure, as He is pure." —1 John 3:3
By God's grace, we can be pure as Jesus is pure. Those who are saved are those "who have never been defiled by immorality...They are pure and follow the Lamb wherever He goes" (Rv 14:4). "Make no mistake about this: no fornicator, no unclean or lustful person — in effect an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" (Eph 5:5). Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount has taught: "Anyone who looks lustfully at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his thoughts. If your right eye is your trouble, gouge it out and throw it away! Better to lose part of your body than to have it all cast into Gehenna" (Mt 5:28-29). The Lord promises: "On that day there shall be open to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness" (Zec 13:1). Consequently, "since we have these promises, beloved, let us purify ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit" (2 Cor 7:1). Let us purify ourselves "for a genuine love" (1 Pt 1:22).
This Christmastime, let us receive the beautiful Christmas present: to be pure as Jesus is pure.
Prayer: Father, may I love purity and see it as a way to freedom.
Promise: "Look! There is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!" —Jn 1:29
Praise: Rosita attended a Life in the Spirit seminar. She received the Spirit deeply and was able to forgive the persons who had hurt her the most deeply.
Reference: (For related teaching, order our booklet, The Bible on Sex, or our tapes on Sexual Purity, on audio RA 323 and RA 392.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, May 30, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 4, 2001