Sermon: Moral Purity
#1805A
James Beaubelle
Given 22-Feb-25; 34 minutes
2025-02-22
summary: Almighty God requires all His chosen saints to "Be holy, because I am holy," emphasizing moral purity and a life devoted to His will. God's people are in a perpetual struggle against worldly distractions and useless endeavors which takes the focus away from spiritual growth. An illustrative story from 1847 about a penitent, reformed convict serves as a metaphor of God's grace. The jeweler, not knowing about the convict's past, tasks him with the responsibility of serving as his night watchman. However, even though our Lord and Savior does know about our corrupt, sinful past, He has mercifully called us to transform us into His image. Only through submitting to Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit can we keep His holy laws in the letter and spirit and grow into perfection and holiness. We have been given free will and personal responsibility. Even though God exercises ultimate control, humans must make active choices to pursue righteousness. Failure to act places us in the same precarious position as the five foolish virgins. We are obligated to embrace God's holiness, reject sin, and somberly live with the awareness that "many are called, but few are chosen." Consequently, the urgency to live righteously, striving for godly character is a continuous, ongoing, and vital pursuit not concluded until our death and resurrection.
transcript:
I have come to believe over the years that one of God's main focuses for His people can be stated so simply yet means so much; as we sojourn through our calling, often asking ourselves what does God want me to do? This question can encompass everything we do and everything we think as we grow in the faith of our Lord. All of what we do matters, and God has set the standard of what matters, standards that we all are to live by and that are exceedingly high. As we work to take on the character of the Father and Jesus Christ, our work at loving our neighbors, and much more that we all do, blends into this simple statement we find in I Peter 1:16 where it reads, "Be holy, for I am holy." This is an echo, or I would call a repeat of what was written in Leviticus 11:44-45 and of course in Leviticus 19:2, where Moses is instructed to speak to the congregation of Israel the same message. It shows us this has always been a work He wants His people involved with. Leviticus 19:1-2 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: 'You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.' God goes on to instruct us what He expects us to do and not do from verse 3 until verse 37, giving instructions and laws and statutes His people are to embrace as their own, as they strive to be holy. If we were to distill the term holiness to its basic understanding that would cover or embrace our goal here, I would simply state that what God is looking for from both Israel then, so long ago, and the Israel of God today, has always been moral purity, leaving us little time for useless endeavors and pointless thinking. I recently heard on the radio that mental experts (if there is such a thing) on the human brain, say the average person on an average day has over 50,000 different thoughts. Most, of course, we are all unaware of, but showing us that we have plenty of capacity, so there must be ample room for thinking about the things of God and His holiness. I do think as we get older one can get less and less tolerant with all the nonsense surrounding our lives. Maybe it is because we know our time in the flesh is rapidly coming to its end of days, and we remain uncertain of the time we have remaining, and are certain we do not want to spend it on useless ideas and thoughtless people. There seems to be no end to the amount of fools running around with stupid ideas and a lot of free time to pursue them and trying to persuade others to do the same. Those of us called into the Body of Christ, I believe see this problem of useless endeavors more acutely than those living under the sun. Because we have goals for ourselves in becoming more Christ-like, needing our time to serve God's will over our own, to work and study at developing godly wisdom and godly virtues and working to have a measure of good works to accompany our faith, we have very little time to get distracted by the around and the about, also known as worldly affairs. In Colossians 3, verse 2, Paul states very clearly, Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things of the earth. This is where the saints need to maintain their focus. This is where we find the depths of holiness of our God. Revelation 19:7 "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." Like you, I believe this is true. She will be ready at the appointed time. Some of the saints are now ready and are in their graves awaiting the Groom's return. Some, such as ourselves, are still following them and getting prepared. This verse shows us the active participation the Bride must be involved in when it says she has made herself ready. Like the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1, it was the five who were prepared for the groom's arrival that went in. And immediately after this, the door was shut, something we must surely give our serious considerations to. If you are a bit like me, I never feel certain that I am ready for the day of Christ's return and can always feel a sense of urgency in doing better in the things that I lack. And can see too often that I am falling short of doing what I should. But—but—if God by His mercy and grace can and will work with us to get us ready, it will be with those who by faith will do the work He sets before them. Those who strive to be as He is, those who will shun evil, those who will accept their citizenship in heaven as their goal in this life, and not in the nonsense of the world that we never seem to run short of. These people can be made ready and can be a holy people unto the Lord. I read a short story from a book. (I dig into old books. This one was written in 1847.) I would like to use an illustration out of it today as something I think we can all relate to and see clearly how each of us were before God's grace brought each and every one of us out from our days of bondage with sin and into His truth and into His love. My working definition of the word grace is "God's tender love freely poured out to His elect." Now to my illustration. It is a bit long but not overly so. Let us suppose that a convict who has just finished his term in penal servitude wishes to lead an honest life. He comes to a man who has a large jewelry establishment and who requires a night watchman. He is engaged to watch this house through the quiet hours of the night when he has everything under him and every opportunity to rob his employer. On the first evening of his watching, he meets one of his old companions who accosts him, saying, "What are you doing here?" "I'm a night watchman over this jeweler shop." "Yes? Does he know what you are?" "No, no, be silent. If he knew, I should be dismissed." "Suppose I let it out that you're a returned convict." "Oh, I pray don't. It would be my last day here, and I wish to be honest." "Well, you'll be required to give me some money to keep me quiet." Now let's suppose, however, that instead of the employer engaging the man in ignorance of his character, he went to the convict's cell and said, "Now I know you, what you are and what you have done. Every robbery you've committed, and you are worse than you believe yourself to be. I'm about to give you a chance of becoming honest. I'll trust you as my night watchman over my valuable goods." The man, our convict, is faithful at his post. He meets old companions who threaten to inform on him. But he now asks, "What will you tell about me?" "That you are the ringleader of housebreakers?" "Yes, but my master knows all that better than you do. He knows me better than I know myself." This, of course, silences them forever. We were that convict. We were burdened with more sin than even we can remember. But God in His mercy and tender love for us has called us out of this world's darkness and into His truth. And by so doing, we have become the most free people in the world today solely because of what Christ has done for each one of us. John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. And because of this gift, this work that He has done for us, what we could never have done for ourselves, He did do and has made us free from our bondage. Free to grow in the ways of righteousness and free to follow Him in the ways of holiness. Turn with me, please, to John 8 and we are going to be starting in verse 31 where Jesus tells us exactly where our freedom comes from. John 8:31-36 And Jesus said to the Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?" Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." Were we not all once like these Jews who believed they had always been free but in reality never were? Under the bondage and the penalty of death for believing a lie spoken by Satan so long ago in the Garden to Eve, we also lived in ignorance like so many do today. Spending our time in way too much nonsense, always seeking to satisfy our own natures that in reality was keeping us in bondage. Locked up as it were, in our own self with our own idols. Let us be honest. We were pretty filthy and in need of a total reset. Romans 5:6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. That would be all of us. In desperate need of a Savior for many years, in desperate need of the truth, and we did not even know it. In our illustration, we see a simple desire spoken openly by our convict when he said, "I want to be honest." He had practiced living in a dishonest way, and moral purity was not a goal he likely gave much thought to, and the fruit it produced was imprisonment. And it was this way with all of us as well and continues to this day with so many in the world. They do not see bricks and bars as our convict had surrounding him, but nonetheless, they are under the sun and under the sway of the wicked one. We know him to be Satan. Now, honesty is just one of the godly virtues we must all acquire if we are to grow into the likeness of Christ and our Father in godly character. I am not saying it is all on us to start from scratch and turn ourselves into a person with full-blown godly character. I would say the opposite. That with God's efforts and our yielding to His understanding, all the virtues He possesses can also be our own. Without His Spirit in us to lead us towards godly wisdom, we would not change. Without His gifts of understanding, we would not change. Without Christ overseeing our lives, we would not change. John 15, verse 5 is very clear on this point, and we all know this very well. John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit [here comes the truth]; for without Me you can do nothing." But this does not excuse us from making choices to exercise all virtues that have been bestowed on us by implementing them into our daily living. Virtues are good habits that must be used if they are to reach their full maturity. We all have opportunity to be dishonest, to be unloving to others, to be faithless in our approach with God, or lacking prudence in the choices we make. This is the doing of what we call free moral agency in the choices that we have. To be free means to have the ability to choose. This too is a gift from God and we are encouraged by Him to make good choices. Of course it would be. I have heard some say there is no such thing as free moral agents. You may not have heard that spoken in your ear. I certainly have. That we are predestined to a certain outcome regardless of our own decisions. But this to me clearly is a misinterpretation of Scripture. And likely, I am thinking about this, it is an offshoot of the "once saved, always saved" mantra that so many have embraced, with its goal to release one of being responsible for the outcome of their own poor choices. I agree that our choices have predetermined limits as to what God decides is allowable that men can do. And even what one individual may want to do. But limits can still leave plenty of room for making choices. The Tower of Babel is a perfect illustration, showing us that God retains the right to act and set anyone's or everyone's choice aside if it subtracts from His creative purpose. Genesis 11, verse 8 shows us an example of the outcome when this does happen. Genesis 11:8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of the earth, and they ceased building the city. He was very effective in what He did here. But there are other countless times God has intervened to change outcomes for the choices people have made. One we know well, Pharaoh, whose heart grew hard to keep Israel captive, and by the 9th plague I think he was getting tired. He was again ready to capitulate and let these people go but from the direct act of God though, hardened his heart. Exodus 11:10-11 So Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh; and the Lord hardened his heart, he did not let the children of Israel go out of his land. I will mention one more instance in God warning to physical Israel, and the reason I do this is because it is also like so many things are for spiritual Israel's learning as well. Please turn to Deuteronomy 30. I think we know it comes after chapters 28 and 29. That is how it works. We call them the blessing and cursing chapters that tells Israel God's response for obedience and what they can expect if they are disobedient, and then recommending they choose life over death. It is a good recommendation. Deuteronomy 30:15-19 "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you [Notice there is two there, two witnesses. This is very legal.], that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live." Certainly God's Word shows us we have choices to make. To say one does not is a stretch beyond a stretch. There are times like when God hardened Pharaoh's heart that the choice is taken off the table. But for most of our lives and for most individuals we have much control and accountability for what we think and for what we do. For the natural man that pays little or no attention to spiritual affairs, I can see why they draw the conclusion that religion just binds a person to outdated rituals and actions that restrict being able to choose. But this is just another one of Satan's deceptions to confuse men and women. I hope it is not confusing any of us. Many will say that the laws of God are so restrictive that having freedom is a mischaracterization of religion. They are blinded to the works of God and their understanding is darkened. Not seeing spiritual things, they do not see the gifts given by God to His people. The truth that He shares with those who seek Him, the power to love Him, or a heart of understanding by the faith He infuses into every son and daughter. Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the creation was framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of the things which are visible. It is not only impossible to please God without faith, it is also impossible to know Him and discern all His works. Is it any wonder why so many deny His existence or believe He is inactive in His own creation? Yet because God is still creating, still planning on bringing many sons and daughters into His Kingdom, a measure of His control is not only needed but should be welcomed by all who love Him. God has not stopped creating one iota. His main focus is not so much on the physical creation as it once was, but is now on a spiritual creation. I think we can all see that. What we must continue in is yielding to the wisdom of the Potter who will form us into His image and likeness. Our God has a goal and our best interest in this. For He sees us not only as we are but He sees us as we can be. Just as the owner of the jeweler's shop could see the convict, not just as he was, a thief, but what he could be. Our Lord knows if we follow His lead, seek after the ways of holiness, of moral purity, we can, as Christ's bride, be ready at the appointed time. A moment ago I said for most individuals the free choice to yield and follow after God exists. Even the unconverted have a measure of responsibility. They will be judged against what they can clearly see and know about the works of God. But there are those who, like Pharaoh, are used by God as vessels of destruction rather than vessels that receive God's mercy. Not everyone is created to inherit the promises or be partakers of the covenant. As hard as that sounds, it is. And it should give each of us pause and reflection how important this calling we have been given is. We are going to turn now to more scriptures, which is always good. Paul in Romans chapter 9 speaks directly to this point. I think you will remember it once we start reading it, and I want to take the time to read quite a number of verses here that we clearly see God's objective in creating us in His holy likeness. We can see some clearly stated verses to read concerning His creative work. Romans 9:11 For the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls. Romans 9:15 For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion." Romans 9:17-18 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. Which we know He did that with Pharaoh. Romans 9:21-23 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and make another for dishonor? What if God, wanting to show His wrath and make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, . . . I certainly pray with those people. Our Lord in Matthew 20:16 said, "Many are called, but few are chosen." This should concern us. I remember in my old Anaheim days the topic of tares came up (this was after services). And a man I admired and one who spoke often before the congregation, he said, "I hope it's not me." or words to that effect. I was stunned, I think I still am. Yet I see in his statement full confidence that God's will is all that matters. I am also reminded of the Parable of the Sower Christ gave in Mark 4:1-9. Let us turn there and read from verses 3 through 9. Notice the first word He uses. When we see this, we should be paying close attention. Notice the first word to get our undivided attention. He says, "Listen! aka pay attention. Something important is coming for us to hear and to teach us. Mark 4:3-5 "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth." Mark 4:7-9 "And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop [or fruit]. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." And He said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" This is one of the parables where we get descriptions that teach us very well. For those of us who have now been seated in the congregation of our Lord and Savior, who do see the many truths God has revealed to His people, and who Christ is working every day as our High Priest in preparing us to inherit the riches of God's glory, I would say getting caught up in the world and its ways to be the likely concern we must be vigilant about. We can get caught up in worldliness that can keep us from pursuing holiness and remain a separate people unto the Lord. Jesus stated clearly in Mark 4:19 what can happen. "And the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." My prayer for each of us is we do listen, that we may see the world's nonsense for what it is, and meet the challenge of being holy and of being morally pure before our Lord. That we would have a willing heart to ask God where we fall short; to ask God and let His changes come. Let His trials and chastisements come to bring us to the point that the Potter desires for each and every one of us. I am going to change course here a little bit. I think I have some time, and I am just taking it anyway. I want to bring up a couple of ideas that are interwoven with being holy and a separate people. That would be law keeping and judgments, both necessary in the plan of redemption. The psalmist says the law is perfect, converting the soul. And the Ten Commandments we have been given is often referred to as the moral law, and rightly so. And we know the breaking of the law is sin for us. We also know there is no sin hidden and all must come before the judgment seat of Christ. Though that be on the church today, judgment comes. Because we, in my opinion, do not know what absolute holiness is, we can struggle coming to terms with all the laws and the judgments of God in their complete fullness. Even a man that lived as righteously as Job stands alone with his guilt just as much as someone who continually rejects God's law to serve his own needs. Both have earned the wages of sin and are in need of a Savior. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of [breaking them] all. Huh, that can sound a little strange. But if we consider the connection to one Lawgiver and all sins having the same penalty, it starts to make a little more sense. If we see that one is either holy or is not, there seems to be no middle ground when it comes to judgments. Human nature wants to put on degrees of judgment. I am not going to go into those details now. Yes, there are sins not leading to death but they are still judged as sins. Paul said in Romans 4:15 that "where there is no law there is no transgression." But these are more rare than they once were. And for us, who have been given the Word of God, very rare. Those who seek the Kingdom of God and have had the revelations of God's Word given to them, those who seek to be perfect as He is perfect need to consider these things. I would add here, because we have been declared clean by the righteous blood and the reputation of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we do this very day, we currently stand as a holy people that have been separated by God to Himself. We are presented before the Father by the justification and the works of Jesus Christ. I want to finish today back where we started in I Peter, but this time for looking to what we are and what we are gaining by the work God is doing for each of us in building us as partakers of His holiness. Chapter 2 and verse 4 should be very familiar to us. We hear this quite often throughout the year—and very encouraging. That is probably why we get to hear it so much as we become one with Jesus Christ and our Father. I Peter 2:4-5 Coming to Him as a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious [here we come up in verse 5], you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. See where we can do nothing without Him? And we will add verse 9 and 10 here. We all know this so well. I Peter 4:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who were once not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now we have obtained mercy. No one in this world is more free than you and your fellow saints. Let us praise God for this marvelous work in us and let us yield to the Potter's work to be holy as He is holy.
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