Demands Purity

[Daily Devotional]

Demands Purity 

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 1 Thess. 4:
7. 

Life is a gift of God. Our bodies have been given us to use in God's
service, and He desires that we shall care for and appreciate them. We are
possessed of physical as well as mental faculties. Our impulses and passions
have their seat in the body, and therefore we must do nothing that would
defile this entrusted possession. Our bodies must be kept in the best
possible condition physically, and under the most spiritual influences, in
order that we may make the best use of our talents. Read 1 Cor. 6: 13. 

Our bodies belong to God. He paid the price of redemption for the body as
well as the soul. . . . God is the great caretaker of the human machinery.
In the care of our bodies we must cooperate with Him. Love for God is
essential for life and health. In order to have perfect health our hearts
must be filled with hope, and love, and joy. 

The lower passions are to be strictly guarded. The perceptive faculties are
abused, terribly abused, when the passions are allowed to run riot. When the
passions are indulged, the blood, instead of circulating to all parts of the
body, thereby relieving the heart and clearing the mind, is called in undue
amount to the internal organs. Disease comes as the result. The man cannot
be healthy until the evil is seen and remedied. 

"He that is joined unto the Lord"-- bound up with Christ in the covenant of
grace--" is one spirit. Flee fornication" (1 Cor. 6: 17,18). Do not stop for
one moment to reason. Satan would rejoice to see you overthrown by
temptation. Do not stop to argue the case with your weak conscience. Turn
away from the first step of transgression. 

Would that the example of Joseph might be followed by all who claim to be
wise, who feel competent in their own strength to discharge the duties of
life. A wise man will not be governed and controlled by his appetites and
passions, but will control and govern them. He will draw nigh to God,
striving to prepare mind and body to discharge aright the duties of life. .
. . Satan is the destroyer; Christ the restorer. 

>From God's Amazing Grace - Page 146