Today I was thinking on purity. So often today we think of purity as a lack - someone who is pure is someone who hasn't had sex. This is appalling. Firstly, because it is taking our definition of an important term from the world. Secondly, because there are many people who are 'impure' by that definition who are nothing of the sort, and thirdly, because there are many who are 'pure' by that definition who are nothing of the sort.
Finally, and for me a very important aspect, the idea that purity is all over once you've had sex, means that for many there becomes no point to being pure; you're just trying to be something you can't. This was something I found dificult - I was just short of 22 when I became a Christian. I wasn't bad by the world's standards, but then, they're not exactly God's standards.
Purity is more than body. Purity comes across in our words, and it begins from our heart (like pretty much everything else). For those of us who have fallen before (and it's far more than those who are vigins) we need to regain purity.
In Ephesians 4:28 the thief is not only told that he must no longer steal, but that he must give to those in needs. Those who lack purity not only need to refrain from impure behaviour, words and thoughts, but they need to REPLACE those behaviours, words and thoughts with pure and godly ones.
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