Guest Devotional: Chrissy Mayer

A Lily Among Thorns: A Set Apart Life
“Like a lily among thorns, so is my darling among the maidens.” - Song of Solomon 2:2

True purity is more than simply saving sex until marriage. True purity is a complete set-apartness for our heavenly father – Our Prince. True purity is not only practiced in relationships and sexuality, but in every aspect of our existence.

I know what most of you are thinking right now…Purity…Seriously? Isn’t that something we talked about in Sunday School when we were younger?Doesn’t that have something to do with some promise ring?Girl, that’s something that went missing long ago!

Over the last few years, God has continued to show me new areas that can use some ‘cleaning’ up. And thank goodness He’s in the cleaning business because some of these nooks and crannies are going to need some divine intervention! God tells us in His Word that purity is not something reserved only for our daughters, granddaughters, sisters, and nieces. Purity is a way of life – a way of existence.

In Matthew 23:25-26, Jesus says, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.”

Purity, I fear, has gotten mixed up in people’s minds with “Puritanism,” which, in the popular imagination, is a dour, brittle revolt against all the pleasures of the flesh. The concept of purity does not deny life; rather, it refers back to the very Giver of Life Himself. Purity means freedom from contamination, an undivided set-apartness from anything that would spoil the taste, essence, reduce the power, or in any way adulterate what Christ has called-us-out to be. It means cleanness, clearness…no additives, nothing artificial…in other words, “all natural”.

Things to think about…
How does culture view purity?
How does culture attempt to influence you to lower your standards of purity?

Check out these verses…
Philippians 4:8: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phillipians%204:8&version=NLT

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%204:7-8&version=NLT

2 Timothy 2:22: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%202:22&version=NLT

After reading the above scripture, pray and ask God to search out your heart. Ask Him to show you where you could use some reorganizing, dusting, or maybe even an entire renovation! Ask His forgiveness, for settling for empty boxes that the world wraps up beautifully and serves to you with a big pretty bow. Finally, share with a friend the areas God is challenging you in and encourage one another.