"Whatsoever is pure... think on this."
As I type it's sprinkling outside. It's turned cool, an invasion of wintertime in October... at least it seems that way, when compared to the warm temperatures I am bidding farewell.
Thoughts of winter conjure up images of pure.
The snow that floats to the ground, crystals gleaming in the light outside my living room window.
Even though winter is not my favorite season, and I perpetually long for the kiss of sunshine on my skin... there is something about waking to the ground covered in white.
Pure.
Untarnished.
Pure- from the Greek hagnos. "sacred, pure from fault, clean, chaste, pure from carnality."
There's not much considered pure in today's world.
Young girls tarnished by a need to be accepted. Headlines about acts unthinkable.
No modesty... in clothing, in action, in words.
Even as I write, I think about modesty... because how many of us have pure motives? We may demonstrate fake humility... but secretly crave validation of our opinions.
How many likes can I get on instagram or facebook? How many followers? How many retweets?
We present our lives in a picture-perfect manner... knowing that we aren't pure. Knowing that we are all stained... but we can't share that.
We all live in glass houses.
Which of you can throw the first stone?
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Here, the word pure is from the Greek katharos, meaning to be purified, as through fire, to be unblemished, clean, blameless, unstained with guilt, innocent.
How can we ever be this kind of pure?
"And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure"- 1 John 3:3
Hath this hope IN HIM.
The only way that we can become pure in heart, unblemished, free from guilt, is to look to Him. The Redeemer. The One who covered our sins so that our hearts could be washed as white as snow.
Think on Him. When this world seems murky. When your day is as dingy as that snow becomes as it melts and turns to mud.
He is pure. He is unblemished... and He wants you to be the same.
If you don't know Jesus as your personal Savior, He's waiting with open arms.
Pure in heart...
For more on my thoughts on Philippians 4:8, visit my #write31days challenge day one.
Amazing too, that when God sees us He sees the purity of Christ. And so yes, let us strive to be holy as he is holy, and yet rest in the ceasing from striving because He has already done the work to make us clean. Too wonderful to fully understand. And, btw, I have a Caleb too,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your "Pure as Snow" blog today! I enjoyed reading these words, and thank God that He DOES look at us as pure because without his Son - we definitely are NOT. I enjoyed reading your post for today and will return to read more!!
ReplyDeleteI love the purity of a fresh snowfall too. There's just something so lovely and peaceful about it. This is an interesting take on those scriptures and something to ponder. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteIt's cold and rainy here too. Thank you for the reminder of God's grace and goodness. I rest in Him today for all that life brings -- thank goodness! On my own, life is overwhelming.
ReplyDeletewhat encouragement, love your style.... counting blessings
ReplyDeleteGreat post of encouragement and reminder to keep our eyes focused on God! :)
ReplyDeleteI have that exact same little sign! I love that it reminds me where to direct my thoughts. :)
ReplyDeleteLauren -- this is wonderful. I love that we're even dwelling on the same word on the same day. The Greek is powerful. I'm so grateful that He can purify me and my words. Like Isaiah, I am of unclean lips. I trust that He -- and He alone -- can render them pleasing to Him and for His purposes. Glad to have found you!
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