THE PURE AND THE DEFILED

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled" (Tit. 1:15). That text teaches four things:

1. EVERY BELIEVER IS PURE IN GOD'S SIGHT. Every sinner who truly believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is pure before God. His sins have been purged away by the blood of Christ. The righteousness of Christ has been imputed to him in justification. And the righteous, pure, holy nature of Christ has been imparted to him in regeneration. Because he is pure in God's sight...

2. WHATEVER THE BELIEVER DOES IN THE WORSHIP AND SERVICE OF GOD IS PURE. Arising from pure motives of love and faith, being performed from a pure heart, and being done for the glory of God, though our works and worship are in themselves far from pure, God reckons them to be pure and receives them as such.

3. BUT THE UNBELIEVER IS DEFILED. His heart is defiled. His mind is defiled. His conscience is defiled. The plague of sin runs through his entire being and defiles him completely.

4. CONSEQUENTLY, EVERYTHING AN UNBELIEVER DOES, EVEN WHEN HE IMAGINES THAT HE IS WORSHIPPING AND SERVING GOD, IS AN ABOMINATION TO GOD. Read Isaiah 1:10:15; 66:3; and Luke 16:15. Works salvation is an impossibility. Only grace can save you. Only grace can make you pure!

Donald S. Fortner, Pastor

GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH OF DANVILLE

2734 Old Stanford Road

Danville, Kentucky 40422

236-8235