Birkdale Baptist Church

Life, Heart and Hope in Jesus

In Ephesians chapter 5, the Apostle Paul wrote about the reason why we must pursue purity.  It is simply this: because we are God's holy people.  Ephesians 5:3-7 says:

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.

That's a pretty serious statement, so let me make sure you've caught it: No immoral, impure, or greedy person has any inheritance in Christ's kingdom.  I don't know about you, but that scares me.  (I don't think Paul is trying to say anything one way or the other about "once saved, always saved" [1], so let's not get distracted by that.)  What Paul is getting at is: God's people are pure!  God is preparing us "as a radiant church, without any stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" (Eph 5:27).  How many times have we failed to be that spotless bride that Christ is seeking?

Paul says we can fail in three ways (Eph 5:3, 5):

1. immorality — that is, dishonouring God with your body: this includes premarital sex, adultery, and same-sex relationships, all of which the Bible teaches are outside of God's plan for our sexuality.
2. impurity — dishonouring God with your mind (the will and intellect): this includes viewing pornography, and other sexual fantasies that cannot be fulfilled righteously.
3. greed — dishonouring God with your heart (your passions & desires; what drives you): this includes lust and anything that can take God's place in your life.

I'm sure the above simple definitions could be improved, but they capture the basics of the impurity that we're doing battle with.

Do you belong to God?  If so, your new nature requires you to pursue God's model of purity.  Keep fighting the battle for that purity!

[1] You might hear this referred to as "eternal security", or "perseverance of the the saints".  Nearly every book on systematic theology will have a section on this.  If you want to know more about the topic in language that's easy to read, try the one by Wayne Grudem.