“Unto The Pure All Things Are Pure”

Titus 1:10-16

10) For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

11) Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

12) One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

13) This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

14) Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

15) Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

16) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

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here is scripture which points out to us that how one views a situation will determine how he responds or reacts to it. This, indeed, proves that our life is not affected so much by what is happening as by how we accept what is happening.

One is “liberated” by learning to look at his situation through the eyes of faith for “spiritual perspective” which is the exact opposite of “natural” perspective.

When we focus on what we are allowed to “go through,” we forget t that this is God’s plan of salvation. Meaning what? That since it is He who grants it, He does have a right to administer it as He sees fit.

What a difference is made in the life of one who accepts that the Lord knows what is best for him. That is, what he needs to “go through;” exactly what must happen in his life to make him fit for his kingdom.

Our victory comes in our acceptance of the fact that the Lord knows what we need to go through. All too often, our acceptance of His sovereignty is hindered by our fear of what might happen to us.

You see, to remain content in the Lord, one must be able to see the “big picture” as opposed to what is happening at the moment. Looking at things any other way (that is, naturally), will lead one to believe that something has gone wrong. Particularly, if a situation seems difficult, the eyes of unbelief can “kick in,” and one will forget that God is God, and able to handle any and all things.

The sooner we realize that our protesting and raging against the Lord and His plan is futile, the better. We will never change the fact that God knows what is necessary for us to be made excellent. And since all that come before Him will have to be excellent we either yield ourselves or voluntarily eliminate ourselves.

One thing that appears to hard to come by, today, is sound thinking. The reason for this is man’s tendency to be occupied with himself, particularly in these last days. However, when one is thinking correctly, and his thoughts and motives are pure, he will look upon all situations personally involving him as how they affect his new “family—the kingdom of God.

Unquestionably, it is easy to get caught up in doing that which one feels is for his own good. But, once one comes to the understanding that his life, his very being, is to promote the kingdom of God, he is no longer confused about his “job.”

The only way to be happy in any situation; regardless of the situation is to have a pure motive for doing what you do. In others words, when you know that your only interest is in pleasing God, you need have no fear concerning anything and consequently, you will feel no pressure to complain—under any circumstances. There is a peace accompanying submission to God that can be neither duplicated nor usurped.

God has a plan—and He is now proclaiming that the mouths of “subversives” (those who would attempt to “derail” that plan) must be stopped. Notice that these are identified as circumcised Jews who one would expect to be behind “the program.” No matter who comes, or what is said those who teach with ulterior motives will regretatively affect only those like themselves—the selfish or insincere.

“Cretians” are mentioned in these scriptures, because the Greeks (those from Crete) were known for heavily indulging the flesh. What we must understand in these “modern times” is that anyone interested only in the flesh is open to deception. And rest assured, considering the ferocity of Satan’s present attacks, anyone who can be deceived, will be.

Professing purity, wishing to be pure and believing oneself to be pure is not enough. The Lord is making it plain that man must be sincere (that is, he can retain no vestige of self within himself). Why? Because unless one’s salvation is “spirit-deep,” he will be deceived. You see, we must be rooted and grounded in the Foundation of Jesus Christ. And just as a tree cannot produce that which is not in its root, so we cannot produce holiness if holiness is not “rooted” in us. Holiness will breed righteousness and these two “fruits” are amongst those essential to entrance into heaven.

Affecting too many, today, is the pressure exerted by all that is worldly to “cut corners,” or “get over.” Today’s world is about getting ahead, getting what you want no matter what it takes—and making sure not to get caught. If His example teaches nothing else, Jesus teaches us the old-fashioned value of doing right and being right because it’s the right thing to do! If it makes you look bad, you do what is right! If it makes you uncomfortable, you must do what is right! If no one appreciates it, you must do what is right!

Our judgment is assured us according to what we do in this body. This will be the basis for all—not what we meant to do or thought about doing. There is no way to get around what the Lord is requiring man to do and there is no way to circumvent the punishment of unrighteousness.

It is a wasted life not lived to the pleasing of God. We are not responsible for feeding ourselves, keeping ourselves, healing or getting ourselves healed. We are not responsible for “stretching” money that we don’t have, for someone else’s sin, or for saving anybody. The Lord takes care of all of this that we might realize that our only responsibility is discovering how we can be the most effective for Him.

No longer is insincerity or unrighteousness being “winked at.” The Lord will have a people and that people will be pure—with pure minds and consciences. Pure minds (thoughts) assure pure actions and it is those who cultivate godliness and all it entails, who will secure their place in heaven.