Why Stay Pure?

By Ana Renee

Image from graphics.glig.com

I have heard numerous reasons why a girl should “stay pure,” but I believe the most important reason is often skipped.

 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

We can strive to remain pure for our future husband, but how much greater is it to have our desire for purity based strictly on pleasing God and becoming better suited to serve Him?

“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:20-21)

If our life is focused on attracting men, longing for a husband, thinking about boys, and living an impure lifestyle, our vessel cannot be “meet for the Master’s use.” To become a “vessel unto honor” in God’s eye, one must purge oneself of something; the next verse tells us what:

 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)

Purged from these youthful lusts {lusts here means “a longing, especially for what is forbidden”}, one is then fit to serve Christ! To cleanse ourselves, we must follow righteousness, faith, charity, and peace. But it is a difficult choice. It is easy to lapse into a life of daydreams or to fall into the arms of a man (either in real life or in a dream). To battle against those desires, one must work . . . sometimes very hard. You might be asking, “Is it worth it?”

“For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” (1Thessalonians 4:7)

By deciding to cleanse ourselves, we are not only freeing ourselves from the bondage of lusts, impurities, sin, and dishonor, we are choosing to obey God.

 “. . . Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

 “And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep his commandments.” (1 John 2:3)

Now I must ask you, “Is it worth it?” Obedience in the sight of God is of great value . . . and so is purity. A choice stands before each of us today: will we continue in the sins of the flesh, tainted and unfit to be used for Christ, or will we embrace purity – with His help – and become a vessel “meet for the Master’s use?”

Photo taken by Amanda T.

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalm 24:3-5)