Pastor John D Jakes

Our passage for this week is Psalm 119:9.  It says, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word."  Purity.  Yes, it is about morality.  However, purity is also about much more.  Purity in our morality is important.  Purity in what we think, allow into our minds, and what we say is also important.  Purity happens when we are so filled with that which is pure that there is no room for anything else.  People ask – how can I be pure?  However, purity is not a quest to be taken lightly.  It will require our time, attention, and effort.  We are not surrounded by purity.  We are surrounded by compromise, temptation, and half-truths.  We must embrace God’s answer fully and completely if we are going to see purity happen in our own lives.

 

I am reminded of a parable Jesus told when He was talking about following Him.  The parable was about a king who was preparing for war.  Jesus essentially asked, "What king would go to war knowing that he would lose if he could avoid it?"  Wise people count the cost and decide what course they will take after they know the facts.  Those who seek purity must do the same.  It is not enough to simply say, "I want to be pure!"  We must also understand what we are embracing and rejecting when we seek purity.  When temptation comes, our decision must have already been made.  Only that will hold us when the temptation is strong.  Committment is essential.  We must have an unwavering commitment.  Temptation and compromise will tell that giving up purity of thought or words doesn’t matter.  Temptation will even tell us that giving up moral purity doesn’t matter under certain circumstances.  If we have already counted the cost of keeping our way by keeping God’s Word, then we will do what we need to keep our promise.

 

How are you keeping your promise today?

 

Something to think about,

Pastor John