Be Pure

Be Pure (Rom. 12:1-2, 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 13b-20) Like Paul, we live in a time and place where immorality is accepted (Rom. 12:2) We should not be conformed to this Gk. Suschematizo: conform, be similar to, in line with, in agreement with We are called to be holy/sanctified “set apart” (1 Pe. 1:13-16, 1 Thess. 5:23) There is no room for compromise with the world (2 Cor. 6:14 & 17, Eph. 5:11-12) We need to be transformed [Transformed by an Elevator, Citation: Owen Bourgaize, Castel, Guernsey, United Kingdom] A family from a remote area was making their first visit to a big city. They checked in to a grand hotel and stood in amazement at the impressive sight. Leaving the reception desk they came to the elevator entrance. They’d never seen an elevator before, and just stared at it, unable to figure out what it was for. An old lady hobbled towards the elevator and went inside. The door closed. About a minute later, the door opened and out came a stunningly good-looking young woman. Dad couldn’t stop staring. Without turning his head he patted his son’s arm and said, "Go get your mother, son." Gk. Metamorphoo: transform, completely change or convert in character or condition How? By the renewing of the mind Renew: restore like new Break sinful patterns Those who practice habitual immorality do not belong to God’s kingdom (1 Cor. 6:9-10) The Bible, clearly and unquestionably, condemns homosexuality (Gen. 19:1-25, Lev., 18:22, 20:13, Rom. 1:26-27) Churches & church leaders that tolerate homosexuality are “conformed” not “holy” (Isa. 5:20) We should love, not tolerate, and love involves standing up for what is right and proper in the eyes of God. C. S. Lewis said, “We’re all either helping people toward God or away from him”.

Sinful thoughts make us impure (Matt. 5:27-30, James 1:14-15) Right living is based on right thinking (Matt. 7:17, Col. 3:1-5) The Law of Concentration states that whatever we dwell upon grows in our life experience. Whatever we think about on a continual basis becomes a part of us. Yes, we become what we think, and the more we dwell on something, the more we have of it in our lives (see Prov. 23:7a) The Law of Substitution states that our conscience mind can only hold one thought at a time. It makes no difference to our mind whether the thought is "negative" or "positive," it can only hold one at a time. However, we can choose to substitute "negative" thoughts with "positive" thoughts, thus changing our mental state of being. Flee from sexual immorality (1 Cor. 6:18) Gk. Pheugo: flee, shun, avoid, escape from Example: Joseph, Gen. 39:6-12 Why? To discern what is good, pleasing and the perfect will of God No worship is pleasing to God that is only inward Our worship must be expressed in acts of service (Matt. 20:28, James 2:20) Why should we present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God? Because they were purchased by the blood of Christ (1 Cor. 6:20)