With moral decline and rumblings of confusion within the church today about what true purity is and isn’t, it is becoming vital that today’s Christian women have a personal and working knowledge of how purity is to be woven into the fabric of their own femininity. If you’ve thought that purity is a rules-based, oppressive formula, we encourage you to refresh your perspective in Truth and discover that purity commitments are not maintained by a standard, a promise ring, or an abstinence pledge but only through a commitment to a Person, Jesus Christ.
PODCAST TRANSCRIPT
There are rumblings within the Christian community today that cast snide remarks at the purity message — labeling it as a joke or broken concept that doesn’t work for today’s young people in these fast and changing times. Many Christians have become cynical towards purity, stating that it sets young people up for disillusionment in their relationships and also within marriage. However, outward symbols of purity commitments (abstinence pledges, rings, and more) are not the problem, rather, they point to the fact that the motive behind the commitments that are being made are incorrect.
Many times young people make a purity commitment to a concept, rather than to a Person. If we adopt that mindset, then it will only be a matter of time until we fall prey to the pressure of the culture around us. The key ingredient to lasting purity is committing fully to Jesus Christ and not merely the concept of purity.
Th only motive that is strong enough to stand up to the temptation that each of us will face in this area is overwhelming love for Jesus Christ and the desire to honor Him no matter the personal cost. A true purity commitment can only flow out of a relationship, not a rule. And the backing motive of our heart must be only for our King’s glory, not what may be in it for ourselves. Even if we never receive personal benefit to walking in God’s ways, His commands are still worth obeying because He is worthy! We are not our own and have been bought with a price — the price of His precious blood.
Remember whose you are, live according to that amazing fact, and watch purity flow into your life as a result!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Purity isn’t gained through attending purity events, signing pledges, or wearing a ring faithfully. Rather, purity is gained through maintaining a commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ because of your love and devotion to Him — nothing less and nothing else.
KEY SCRIPTURES
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Eric and Leslie will be hosting a powerful, four-night Purity Summit to inspire and equip the Church of Jesus Christ today with presenting a vision for purity that works. Join in for one or more of these events live or via simulcast and be blessed and stirred towards God’s vision for true purity with content that is appropriate for all ages. Learn more about the Purity Summit here.
Maybe you weren’t aware, but Leslie and her husband Eric also direct Ellerslie Discipleship Training programs that are hosted year-round at the beautiful Ellerslie Campus in Windsor, Colorado. Learn more about our upcoming programs here.
