PURITY OF HEART

“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a PURE HEART” – 2 Timothy 2:22

The crowning glory of Victory in Life is PURITY of HEART: “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2Tim.2:22). In this Month of Victory in the Heart, we established that Strength, Faith, Hope, and Love, Wisdom, and Purpose, are “issues of life” that spring from the heart: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Pro.4:23). Paul summed these up in his letter to Timothy, his son in the faith, topped by Purity of Heart. 

Though Timothy was younger in the faith than Paul, he was spiritual matured and equipped for the pastoral work that was entrusted to him. However, the old apostle knew the devious ways of the devil who stalks around as a roaring lion seeking to shipwreck the faith of God's children, through “youthful lusts,” Paul then warned Timothy to separate himself from wicked men and shun the many lusts of the flesh, enticements of the eye, and passions of the heart, that could severe him from fellowship with the heavenly Father.

Paul’s earnest plea was for Timothy to flee from every kind of temptation. He didn’t tell Timothy to casually turn and walk the other way. The word “flee” or “run” brings with it the notion of urgency. If we do not flee from the things that held us bound before we came to saving faith in Jesus, we risk being sucked back into those old behaviour and conduct. However, we must ensure that we are fleeing in the correct direction, setting our eyes on and then pursuing the greater things of God. These virtues will not just come to us because we decided to place our faith in God. That decision is simply an initial step into what must become a lifelong pursuit.

Timothy was instructed to resist: outward fleshly desires – external seductions of the flesh; inner lusts of the heart – the bewitching desire for self-will, pride, power, fame, and fortune; and the secret sin of unbelief, which so easily besets us, and which translates into a lack of trust in our Father-God. Paul encouraged Timothy, and every Believer, to pursue the spiritual virtues of righteousness, faith, love, and purity. This pursuit was to be a definite decision of the will which could only be achieved as he purposed in his own heart to turn away from every kind of fleshly pursuit and craving for self-recognition, and follow after righteousness, faith, and love.

The pursuit of righteousness is characterised by the integrity, honesty, justice, and grace we extend to others – both to the saved and the unsaved. Faithfulness towards our Father and fidelity towards fellow men, reflect in a sincere and energetic confidence in the Lord and unswerving trust in His Word, as well as Christ’s divine love manifested through the words we speak and our actions. The Word of God is fundamental to nurturing purity in the heart: “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word…Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Pa.119: 9-11). No wonder Paul wrote, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (v.15).

Purity is the basis of Divinity: “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (v.19). Purity matters! Purity I not an option, but a Must! As we embrace purity of heart and are cleansed from carnal lusts and passions, we’ve chosen to be in God’s Great House “a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (vv.20-21). Let us earnestly pursue righteousness, faith, and love, and live in peace with those that call on the Lord with a pure heart – for the honour of His holy Name, and for our own eternal benefit.