To the pure all things are pure

Titus 1:15-16, “To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure. Their very minds and consciences are corrupted. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”

How often do we read the pastoral letters, like this one to Titus? The text describes the circumstance that my older brother routinely bemoaned regarding the church and his reasons for not attending – it’s full of hypocrites. I told him routinely if that was the circumstance one more in church wouldn’t matter. But this goes deeper than hypocrisy this goes to the heart of those who claim purity and set himself or herself up as the keeper of truth and justice. Eventually we learn that the vehement attacks are supported by nothing spiritual or holy. What we learn is that behind the righteous exterior is a flawed and corrupted mind and soul, unrepentant and unwilling to see her or his spiritual shortcomings attempting to ‘lay blame’ on someone else.

When we come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we allow our former life to go away. We are transformed miraculously by Christ’s redemptive act on the cross. We accept what Jesus DID for us and become true heirs to the Kingdom of God and of Heaven.

Prayer: Redeemer God, Savior – create in us a pure heart and a willing spirit to follow You faithfully unto our own physical death. You have made us for Your service, keep us faithful and strong in Your pure and perfect Way. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN.