Today we look at the next building block as Paul continues his building program of the church that glorifies God. The next foundation stone is all about purity in the life of the Christian and the church. Purity is really a challenge for all men and women!
The reason being is that once we lived lives that were worldly and were out of step with God’s ways. I don’t know about you but sometimes life brings with it a host of temptations particularly as we live in these sensuous and self-indulgent times. How can we gain victory over the temptations of life and maintain a purity that brings honour to the Lord?
I have been greatly challenged by a song written by Jon Mohr and sung by Steve Green on his album called The Mission. It is called ‘Guard Your Heart’ and contains much wisdom. Let me share this with you:
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see. Oh, be careful little eyes what you see… For the Father up above is looking down in love. Oh, be careful little eyes what you see. What appears to be harmless glance? Can turn to romance and homes are divided… Feelings that should never have been awakened within. Tearing the heart in two, listen, I beg of you… Guard your heart, guard your heart… don’t trade it for treasure, don’t give it away! Guard your heart, guard your heart… as a payment for pleasure, its high price to pay! For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear… Guard your heart!
The human heart is easily swayed and often betrayed at the hand of emotion. You dare not leave the outcome to chance. You must choose in advance… Or live with the agony. Such needless tragedy! Guard your heart, guard your heart… don’t trade it for treasure, don’t give it away! Guard your heart, guard your heart… as a payment for pleasure, its high price to pay! For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear… Guard your heart!
For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear… Guard your heart! I trust that you will guard your heart and take on Paul’s counsel from our text today by putting off your ‘old self’ and putting the transformed ‘new self’! Sadly, we trade our most precious possession (our heart) for things that do not last and leave scars that take years to heal. Guard your heart!