The Pure and the Defiled

Titus 1:15 ~ "​To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled."

There are two distinct classes of people identified in our text today: the pure and the defiled. Both exist in this world, coexist in society and probably even have some commonalities in regular life. However, that is where their similarities end. 

Don't mistake this text as stating that there are some who are righteous on their own merits. All people are sinful. Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Everyone begins at that same place, and must come to grips with the fact that there is no possibility of attaining a righteousness before God based on independent merit. It is only in Christ that we have imputed to us His righteousness--a righteousness that is pleasing to the Father. Through the atonement of Christ in His death and resurrection, all who look to Jesus have been counted righteous. 

So, then, who are "the pure" in our text today? It will be those who have their lives purified in Christ. Hebrews 9:22 reminds us, "Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." If the blood of Jesus has cleansed you from all sin, then you stand purified before God. We find this also in 1 John 3:3, "And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." Have you put your complete and absolute hope in Jesus for the salvation of your soul? Then, as the Scripture teaches, through your hope in Jesus Christ, you have purified yourself, your sins are taken up in the payment made by the LORD and no longer counted against you before God. 

How then, can "all things" be pure to those who are redeemed in the LORD? Surely sinful things cannot be pure--wicked deeds and evil thoughts cannot be considered a pure expression of the life of one of God's children. And, you're right. They are not. 

Consider it like this: the pursuit of the pure will always be directed toward all things that are pure. So, those who have their minds and consciences set free from the corrupting ways of worldliness and sin will have all things in their lives which will reflect their new life in Christ. They will have truth over lies, integrity over corruption, honesty over deception, love over hatred, faith over fear. You may not see these virtues in the full bloom of their perfection, but for those who are saved this will be the desire of their heart.

Consider the comparison that Paul makes when he says, "but to the defiled and unbelieving..." There is a different desire for those who are defiled, and do not forget the accompanying condition of the defiled--they are "unbelieving." What is the desire of the defiled? They have their "minds and conscience" defiled--contaminated by the sin and longing for the things of this world to satisfy their own corruptions. They have a conscience that is incapable of warning them, for they have a mind that only thinks of defilement. They are given over to a debased mind as Romans 1:28 reveals, "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done." 

Let us use a home as an example. If you were to walk into a Christian's home, you might expect some indication that they love the LORD. The Bible easily available, perhaps Scripture texts adorning the walls. In the life of the "pure" the expectation is that they gather to themselves that which is pure. If you were to walk in and find wicked slogans decorating the walls and vile imagery lingering about, it would be a clear indication that the home was not "pure" but "defiled." Despite the statement that it was a Christian home, the interior tells a different story. 

Titus 1:16 wraps it up for us, "They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work."

So, my friends, which are you: pure or defiled? Your life will, ultimately, tell the story of your heart. Have you been made pure through the LORD Jesus? If you are pure--though not perfect--the pursuit of your life will show it. But if you are defiled--even though you profess to know God, eventually your actions will inform on you. 

In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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