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Christianity Encompasses Moral Purpose
Someone said that various people treat Christianity like a train.
They hop on board only if it's going their way. So some in Christianity
seek only friends, or to carry on family traditions, or to be
respected. Others treat it as a spare tire, to be used in case
of an emergency. Some think of it as a philosophical club. But
besides salvation and freedom from sin by the blood of Christ
and our own obedience in faith in Christ (John 3:16), repentance
of sins (Acts 3:19), confession that Jesus is the Son of God (Rom.
10:910), and baptism for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38),
Christianity is a spiritual religion where a human being is conformed
to the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:5). He perfects holiness in the
fear of the Lord (2 Cor. 6:177:1). We are going to now let
the Bible speak a little regarding Christian virtue and morality.
Notice a few promises which, if your heart is honest and good
(Luke 8:15), will motivate you to put moral purpose into practice.
Promises in the Bible Can Motivate
First, however, even of Jesus it is said that because of the joy
set before him he endured the cross (Heb. 12:2). Notice also how
Paul approached the Corinthian church. He said:
Wherefore come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith
the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; and I will receive you,
and will be to you a father, and ye shall be to me sons and daughters,
saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, beloved,
let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 6:177:1).
What Promises Have We?
Of course there is the promise of eternal life in heaven. Jesus
said, "Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe
also in me. In my father's house are many mansions; if it were
not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for
you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and
will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be
also (John 14:13). See also Revelation 21:14; Revelation
22:15).
Trade Sin for a Glorified Body
"Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying,
yet our inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction,
which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly
an eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which
are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things
which are seen are temporal but the things which are not seen
are eternal. For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle
be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with
hands, eternal, in the heavens" (2 Cor. 4:165:1). Our
body will be changed, but will still be a body-a spiritual body
(1 Cor. 15:3538).
Help Now
Notice: "Delight thyself also in Jehovah; and he will give
thee the desires of thy heart" (Psa. 37:4). One who delights
in Jehovah will be careful to do his will in all things (John
14:15). God can trust him and give the desires of his heart for
his will is bound in God. Then notice: "No good thing will
he withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Psa. 84:11).
See, help now takes being right with God, acquitted from all evil.
But are the promises not worth it? Yes, we must be spiritual.
That involves being moral and right.
Christianity demands moral purpose. Bible promises motivate us
to obtain and maintain the fruits of the Spirit. All this leaves
unmentioned the motivations in the Word of God which come by warnings,
admonitions, exhortations, and the fear of God. God's word not
only saves us, it is proof of his love.
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