Purity Possible

Hebrews 13:12 says, “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.”

My Dear Comrades, I can easily imagine that some of my Soldiers, after reading what I have written about a pure heart, may be asking, “Is it really possible for me to receive this?” I know that many people outside our ranks openly say that such an experience is impossible. They claim that no one can live in this world without sinning. They argue that no matter how much we hate sin, grieve over it, pray against it, or trust in Christ for victory, we must continue in defeat—sinning and repenting again and again until the end of life.

In response to this, I stand with the Apostle John and affirm that God is not only willing and able to forgive sin, which no believer in Scripture would deny, but that He is equally willing and able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. But before we go further, let us be clear about what is being said. I am declaring nothing less than this: that God can keep you from sin.

Some may ask, “What is sin?” The Apostle John answers this plainly: “All unrighteousness is sin.” In other words, anything we do—or allow—in thought, desire, or action, which we know to be wrong, is sin. Now I affirm, on the authority of Scripture, that Jesus Christ your Saviour is both willing and able to keep you from doing what is wrong. He was called Jesus because He would “save His people from their sins.”

As I have said before, you may still face temptation. You may experience discouragement, physical pain, confusion of mind, or deep sorrow. The world may oppose you. Dark seasons may come. You may even feel, as Christ did on the cross, abandoned. Yet, in the midst of all this, you can still be kept from sin. In the name of the Lord, I declare that it is possible for you to have and to keep a pure heart. Many of you already believe this. But for those who still struggle with doubt, let me make it clearer.

First, you cannot doubt God’s ability to do this. He created you, sustains you, redeemed you, forgave you, and has promised you eternal life. Surely, then, He is able to keep you from sin during the short time you remain on earth. I am certain that He can.

Yes, it may seem difficult. Your circumstances may be challenging. There may be pressures in your home or work that oppose a holy life. You may have tried before and failed. You may feel overwhelmed with doubt or even despair. But God is greater than all of this. He has already delivered you from many sins. Habits and desires that once controlled you have been broken.

Some have even been completely removed. Why, then, should He not complete the work?

“Finish, then, Your new creation, Pure and spotless, let me be; Let me see Your great salvation, Perfectly restored in You.”

There is no reason to doubt His power. He keeps the angels from falling; they do not keep themselves. It is His strength that sustains them. He will keep you from sin in heaven, and He is able to keep you now. You already believe that He is mighty to save. You have sung it again and again: “All things are possible to him That can in Jesus’ name believe…” And if God is able to make and keep you pure, you cannot doubt His willingness to do so. This is just as clear. In fact, it is something you must not only understand, but feel deeply, that Jesus Christ is not only able, but ready and waiting, even now, to remove from your heart the very things that have troubled and burdened you for so long. The very nature of God proves His willingness. All beings act according to their nature. Wicked people are drawn to evil. Good people delight in what is good. God is holy. He declares it again and again. And because He is holy, He must hate sin and delight in making people holy like Himself.

Nothing would please Him more than to remove everything unclean from your life. Will you let Him? God also clearly tells us in Scripture that this is His desire: “Put on the new self… created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

“Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

“This is the will of God, your sanctification.”

Jesus Christ came into the world, lived, suffered, died, and rose again for this very purpose, that you might be made holy. Scripture tells us that He came to destroy the works of the devil, and to cleanse and prepare His people so that they may be holy and without fault. His love for you also proves His willingness. No human love, whether for wealth, country, family, or anything else, can compare to the love God has for you. And because He knows that sin is your greatest enemy, He longs to deliver you from it.

God has also promised you a clean heart if you seek Him. He calls you to separate yourself from sin, and He promises to receive you as His own. And we know He is willing because He has already done this for so many others—both in the past and in our present time. He shows no favouritism. What He has done for others, He will do for you. You are just as welcome to be made clean.

“Will you now enter in?

Will you wash and be clean?”

If you become a holy man or woman, you will advance the work of God far more effectively.

Holy people are one of the greatest needs in the world—and in The Army. And do you not feel, even now, that the Holy Spirit is drawing you toward this? As I write, there is a deep desire in my heart for your full sanctification. Do you not feel something rising within you as well?

Then do not wait. Everything is ready. If there is even the smallest desire in your heart, come before God now and pray: “Oh, that the fire from heaven might fall, And all my sins consume!

Come, Holy Spirit, I call to You, Spirit of burning, come!

Refining fire, search my heart, Illuminate my soul; Fill every part with Your life, And make me wholly clean.”