In what ways can we reflect God's purity in our daily lives? Purity pictured in Revelation 21:18 “The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, clear as glass.” God unveils the final home of His people as flawlessly transparent, gleaming, and untouched by stain. This literal picture of the New Jerusalem sets the standard: nothing cloudy, nothing mixed—only perfect, dazzling righteousness. Why purity matters • God’s own nature: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16) • Vision determines character: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8) • Fellowship requires it: “Make every effort to…be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) Living out purity today 1. Guard the wellspring • “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) • Filter emotions, motives, and secret thoughts through God’s Word. 2. Saturate your mind with Scripture • “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.” (Psalm 119:9) • Memorize, meditate, and let truth crowd out impurity. 3. Cultivate pure speech • “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up.” (Ephesians 4:29) • Refuse gossip, crude humor, or flirting with dishonesty. 4. Honor God with your body • “For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3) • Pursue chastity before marriage and faithfulness within it; flee pornography and casual intimacy. 5. Walk in financial and vocational integrity • “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord.” (Colossians 3:23) • No hidden shortcuts, padded expense reports, or shady partnerships. 6. Serve with unmixed motives • “Religion that is pure and undefiled…to care for orphans and widows…and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27) • Let compassion, not personal gain, drive ministry. 7. Guard media intake • “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable…think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8) • Choose entertainment that lifts, not muddies, the soul. 8. Practice continual cleansing • “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive… and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) • Keep short accounts—repent immediately, accept Christ’s washing, start fresh. 9. Walk by the Spirit • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh… the fruit of the Spirit is … self-control.” (Galatians 5:16, 22-23) • Daily surrender empowers supernatural purity. 10. Live with the city in view • “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives…looking forward to the day of God.” (2 Peter 3:11-12, 14) Keeping the vision before us The transparent gold of Revelation 21:18 is more than future décor; it is today’s calling. As we let the coming city shape our hearts, our lives begin to shine with the same clear, radiant beauty—offering the watching world a preview of God’s flawless kingdom. |
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