Being Different: Thinking Differently Part 2 Series

PURE

To be pure means to be innocent, holy in relation to God.

1 John 3:3 “Christ is pure, and all who have this hope in Christ keep themselves pure like Christ.”

Notice the first thing that is said in this verse. “Christ is pure.” If we need proof that Jesus Christ is pure, look to the cross. In order for Him to be our sacrifice, He had to be pure and spotless. Peter wrote, “you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

As we have our thoughts revolve around Jesus, we cannot help but think about His example of purity. He never did any wrong. He was perfect in every way. We will never be perfect, but we must move on to perfection. We should be able to look at ourselves now compared to five years ago and see a person who is more mature in the faith and is moving closer to perfection. If we don’t we need to set our minds to thinking more about Jesus. Because we who have “this hope in Christ” must keep ourselves “pure like Christ.”

LOVELY

This is the only use of the Greek word prosphiles in the New Testament. It means pleasing or attractive. The opposite of this would be “not ugly.”

When we are thinking about Jesus, we should certainly have lovely thoughts come to mind. We can see Jesus gathering little toddlers around Him, a big smile on His face, as He gives each and every one of them a blessing. There is the image of Jesus asking the blind man what the man would have Jesus do for him, and tenderly granting His request. Then, there is the unrecorded account of Jesus specifically seeking out Peter to offer forgiveness after Peter had denied His three times. These are certainly lovely, pleasing, attractive images of Jesus.

Hebrews 1:3 goes on to say, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

GOOD REPORT

Again, this word, euphemos, sees its only use in the New Testament in this verse. It means worthy of praise, admirable.

So is Jesus admirable, worthy of our praise? Revelation 5:12 seems to thing so: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” The fact that Jesus willingly took on human limitations of hunger, pain, fatigue are certainly admirable. Not only that, but He took a beating that is indescribable. He was whipped 39 times with a whip that had sharp stones in it to rip his skin away from His back. He was repeatedly punched and kicked. His beard was ripped from His face. Nails pierced His wrists and feet. And He did all this to be a fit, pure sacrifice for you and me. That is certainly worthy of praise!

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain! Amen!

VIRTUE

Virtue here can be further described as goodness or moral excellence.

Did you know that we are made to do good works? Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” When we are born again, we are new creatures. Old things have passed away and all things have become new. In being new creatures, we are “created in Christ Jesus.” That means that through His crucifixion and resurrection, we are made to be new spiritual beings. Since He has created us as new spiritual beings, we are created for a purpose. That purpose is good works.

Performing good works should be an apt description of any of us who are in Christ. It is our mission, our mandate, and our ministry. Take a look at yourself: can you be someone who is accused of doing good works?

Galatians 6:10 further underscores the importance of doing good. “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”