Who better to share the story of Christmas than children with sweet child-like faith. Be blessed.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Simply Pure.
As I was reading James today, I noticed a new aspect of a verse I have read numerous times. James 3:17 says, "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. In the past, I have viewed this as another verse in Scripture that lists a lot of areas of righteousness I am lacking in. I often read verses like this (Philippians 4:8), and end up feeling discouraged because I don't know where to begin, and how to start exhibiting such virtues. Today, however, this verse revealed where my starting point should be, and what my motive should be.
There is one small word I usually look over when reading this verse: first. "The wisdom from above is first pure, then..." The word pure is differentiated from the rest of the listed virtues. Why does James intentionally say that wisdom from above must first be pure before wisdom can have any of the other virtues? Perhaps he did this because he knew that striving for good virtues is often done from impure motives. Pursuing righteousness from an impure motive results in earthly, temporary wisdom instead of heavenly righteousness. Expounding on this idea, I have a few observations about the intricate concept of purity. This is the unorganized beginning of wrestling through what purity looks like in the bigger picture of sanctification. May these thoughts surmounting to nothing more than filthy rags be used by God to encourage.
The concept of purity is very evident in the Old Testament, as seen in Judaic Law and the purification rites. Without going into great detail, the Holman Bible Dictionary says that a basic Old Testament meaning of purity is "that of redefined, purified, without flaw, perfect, clean." Such devotion to be "without flaw" caused the Jews to pay attention to minute details relating to purity and holiness. They placed a very high emphasis on being holy and pure before a perfectly pure God. Habakkuk 1:13 says that God's eyes are too pure to look upon evil. Food for thought: How much do I care about being pure out of honor and respect for a holy God?
To refer back to the James passage, it is clear that being gentle, peace-loving, compliant, and other good virtues are rotten unless they are done in purity. Why does James note this? Perhaps he understands how quickly believers can try to do good things with sinful, selfish motives. Ravi Zacharias puts this simply when he says, "pure morality points you to the purest one of all. When impure, it points you to yourself. The purer your habits, the closer to God you will come. Moralizing from impure motives takes you away from God." Purity (pure motives, desires, actions, mindset, worship, etc.) must precede any other pursuits of righteousness, lest one fall away from God in sin.
One last disclaimer: we must constantly remind ourselves that in our pursuit of purity, we have to rely on God's grace and not our own power. This may sound redundant, but even our pursuit of purity can be impure. May the Lord guide, direct, and sanctify our pursuit.
There is one small word I usually look over when reading this verse: first. "The wisdom from above is first pure, then..." The word pure is differentiated from the rest of the listed virtues. Why does James intentionally say that wisdom from above must first be pure before wisdom can have any of the other virtues? Perhaps he did this because he knew that striving for good virtues is often done from impure motives. Pursuing righteousness from an impure motive results in earthly, temporary wisdom instead of heavenly righteousness. Expounding on this idea, I have a few observations about the intricate concept of purity. This is the unorganized beginning of wrestling through what purity looks like in the bigger picture of sanctification. May these thoughts surmounting to nothing more than filthy rags be used by God to encourage.
The concept of purity is very evident in the Old Testament, as seen in Judaic Law and the purification rites. Without going into great detail, the Holman Bible Dictionary says that a basic Old Testament meaning of purity is "that of redefined, purified, without flaw, perfect, clean." Such devotion to be "without flaw" caused the Jews to pay attention to minute details relating to purity and holiness. They placed a very high emphasis on being holy and pure before a perfectly pure God. Habakkuk 1:13 says that God's eyes are too pure to look upon evil. Food for thought: How much do I care about being pure out of honor and respect for a holy God?
To refer back to the James passage, it is clear that being gentle, peace-loving, compliant, and other good virtues are rotten unless they are done in purity. Why does James note this? Perhaps he understands how quickly believers can try to do good things with sinful, selfish motives. Ravi Zacharias puts this simply when he says, "pure morality points you to the purest one of all. When impure, it points you to yourself. The purer your habits, the closer to God you will come. Moralizing from impure motives takes you away from God." Purity (pure motives, desires, actions, mindset, worship, etc.) must precede any other pursuits of righteousness, lest one fall away from God in sin.
One last disclaimer: we must constantly remind ourselves that in our pursuit of purity, we have to rely on God's grace and not our own power. This may sound redundant, but even our pursuit of purity can be impure. May the Lord guide, direct, and sanctify our pursuit.
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