The Longing of Life – Purity
There is a hope that burns like a refiner’s fire, a hope that purifies the heart, freeing it from the passions and the lusts of this world.
“Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it was not yet revealed what we shall be. But we know that if He is revealed, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.”
1 John 3:2 (LITV)
The “hope” captured by the desire to “become” like Him manifests itself in a life of involvement and obedience. The pursuit of a purified life is the result of an internal longing of His life residing in the human heart.
“And everyone having this hope in Him
purifies himself even as that One is pure.”
1 John 3:3 (LITV)
The “upward call” holds within its sphere the power for a life of growing purity. It cannot compromise with sin and disobedience. It creates a diligence to engage in the art of spiritual warfare as it learns how to bring every thought, every passion, and every unholy inclination into obedience to the New Nature of Christ.
“And if ye call on the Father,
who without respect of persons
judgeth according to every man’s work,
pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.”
1 Peter 1:17
The “upward call” produces within those who are held in its power the “now” life. It inherently knows that this “present” walk with God determines eternal rewards.
“that which I NOW live in the flesh—
I live in the faith of the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself for me”
Galatians 2:20 (LSV)
The individual who was faithful to the mina given (KJV reads “pound”) determined their eternal inheritance.
“The first came before Him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And He said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.”
Luke 19:16-17 (ESV)
The true life of faith must produce a “now” life. While many live by future promises that lay no claim upon the life they currently live, the faith OF the Son of God brings each of His own to a growing life of abandonment to the work of the Cross. Paul declared:
“I die daily.”
1 Corinthians 15:31
The living faith of Christ within causes a circumspect life, conscious of an Almighty God who watches over our daily conduct. This understanding produces a life that passes “the time of its sojourn” here on earth with care and devotion unto Him.
“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Philippians 2:12 (ESV)
katergazomai (G2716) signifies “to work out, achieve, effect by toil,” rendered “to work”.
Vine’s New Testament Greek
(continued)
“My Saviour! Fill up the blurred and blotted sketch which my clumsy hand has drawn of a Divine life, with the fullness of Thy perfect picture. I feel the beauty I cannot realize; robe me in Thine unutterable purity.”
— F. W. Robertson
“My heart is breaking with the longing
that it has for Your ordinances and judgments at all times.”
Psalm 119:20 (AMPC)
The Longing of Life Series:
The Longing of Life (LINK)
The Longing of Life – His Invitation (LINK)
The Longing of Life – Choices (LINK)
Brian Troxel
