AdornedSample

Day 6: Passionate about Purity

One of the core courses in the Titus 2 curriculum for women is “to be . . . pure.” Along with the other courses Paul lays out, this is foundational if we want to adorn the doctrine of God. It is one of the “good” things older women must teach young women if the church is to be a beacon for the gospel in the world and the baton of faith is to be handed off from one generation to the next.

In the face of a culture where the most base, fleshly instincts were unrestrained and promiscuity was pervasive, Paul wrote,

“We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures. . . . But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us . . . by the washing of regeneration . . . “(Titus 3:3–5)

Did you get that? We who belong to Christ have been saved— rescued—from our former life. We have been washed from sin— cleaned up, purified. We are different from unbelievers, and that difference should be obvious to everyone.

If we are in Christ, of course, we have been declared “positionally pure.” His righteousness has been credited to our account. And He has promised that one day we will be clothed in white with Him in glory (Rev. 7:9). This is the great hope and longing of every child of God.

If we want to enjoy the freedom and joy of walking in purity, we do well not only to ponder passages on pursuing purity frequently (1 Tim. 1:5, 1Pet. 1:22, Eph. 5:3, Heb. 13:4, 1 Thess. 4:3-7) but to consider what it will take to follow their direction in our daily lives—because practical purity isn’t easy. This part of our Christian walk requires focused, ongoing effort and training as well as the watchful encouragement of these crucial Titus 2 relationships.

Personal willpower simply isn’t enough to sustain our vows to our holy God. If we are to mirror His purity to our generation in a way that truly makes a difference, we mustn’t attempt to make it alone. We must do it together. Together, in dependence on the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, our struggle with temptation can yield to the joys of personal, practical purity.

The snow-white beauty of His purity.