Purity In God’s House

Wilson Lim
6 days ago
10 min read

I don’t have any lower molars in my right jaw. I lost them all some years ago. Because of that I could not chew food properly on my right side. I had to get dental implants. Why did that happen? I did not brush and floss my teeth properly. Lots of impurity stuck on my teeth. Food impurities which caused plaque and decay. The dentist had to keep patching up decaying molars. Eventually my lower molars broke up, one after another.

Impurities can have a profound effect in places where there should be purity. Purity is a central characteristic in the Kingdom of God. Because it is the very nature of God to be pure, to be holy. And hence, God desires His people to live in purity as well.

1 Corinthians is a letter to the church in Corinth. Corinth was a city full of sexual immorality. Prostitution, even temple prostitution was rampant. There were all kinds of sexual perversion. And these had also crept into the church there. In many ways our modern Western society share those immoralities and perversions. And within the Church also has struggled with many of these issues. Some studies suggest that pornography is almost as prevalent within the Western church as it is in the society. I am not naïve to think that we are immune to these issues.

As we study the passage of 1 Corinthian 6, we begin to see God’s perspective on purity—and what it means for how we live today. From this text, I want to highlight three key truths that speak directly into our lives.

A KINGDOM FOR THE PURE

1 Corinthians 6:8-11a (NIV) “8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers. 9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were.”

Paul launched a strong rebuttal of the Corinthian church’s misplaced perspectives about the Kingdom of God. However, it raises some controversial issues. Does “the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God” imply that believers can lose their salvation if they persist in immorality? Or as some would argue, Paul was only referring to unbelievers who think they are Christians, but are not? Firstly, allow me to explain what it really is.

A warning for believers (v9a) “Do you not know…? Do not be deceived.”

The entire segment of v1-8 was directed at believers in the Corinthians church. For the parties in the dispute were referred to as “believers” and “brothers”. The recipients of the entire epistle were referred to as “saints”. So this entire epistle was directed at believers. Here, Paul was challenging the perspectives of the believers. “Don’t you know this? The wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived!”

However, in v9-10 Paul was referring to the unbelievers, to highlight how much God’s wrath is upon the wicked, their orientation, their lifestyles. Paul contrasted the wicked with the current position of the believers in Corinth. The Corinthians used to be amongst the wicked, but now sanctified, justified in Christ. In other words, they have been saved from the wrath of God because the righteousness of Christ covers over them.

Unrighteous living dishonours God and what He has done for us.

But, just as God is not pleased with immorality and unrighteous living, He continues to be displeased with such immorality. It should not be the lifestyle of believers. Unrighteous living dishonours God and what He has done for us. You see, we must understand the second thing, that God has His criteria.

God’s criteria for inheritors of His Kingdom (v9a) “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?”

Paul lists some characteristics of the wicked. Those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God. It dealt with immoral behaviour as well as sexual immorality of various kinds. Behaviours and lifestyle which were occurring in the Corinthian church.

God will not welcome anyone. God’s Kingdom is reserved for those righteous before God.

Paul made a crucial point. God will not welcome anyone. God’s Kingdom is reserved for those righteous before God. The unrighteous, the wicked will not inherit God’s Kingdom. They will not enter in nor participate in its treasures. For God demands righteousness. True believers are counted righteous in Christ, and therefore welcomed into His Kingdom. No one outside of Christ will ever be considered righteous enough to enter God’s Kingdom.

God transforms people from the inside out—but only those who entrust themselves to Him and choose to follow His way.

Why this distinction? God transforms people from the inside out—but only those who entrust themselves to Him and choose to follow His way. Every person is corrupted by sin and powerless to change themselves. Those who resist or ignore God cut themselves off from the only One who can make them truly righteous. It’s like a patient who doesn’t trust their doctor. The doctor prescribes what will heal them, but the patient takes the medicine only occasionally and chases herbal cures, spiritual healers, and old wives’ tales. The doctor cannot help someone who refuses to follow the treatment.

In the same way, God can only transform those who trust Him enough to walk in His way.

A warning for carnal Christians.

Just as Paul sounded a warning, let me sound a warning. Now I believe we are saved only by God’s grace through faith, as we personally make a choice to trust in Him for our salvation. Nothing we can do or accomplish can ever earn us merit to get into heaven. I also believe that it is possible to fall away from God, or commit apostasy. Hebrews 6:4-6 (NIV) “4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”

Salvation has a start point, a journey and a destination to be reached.

It is not what we do or fail to accomplish that causes us to fall way. Rather it is our choice to wilfully reject Christ. When we choose to reject God’s grace for salvation. Salvation is not a once off. For salvation has past, present and future aspects. Salvation has a start point, a journey and a destination to be reached.

It is like you have been given a free ticket for a boat cruise with Christ. Until you get to the destination, you can choose to jump off the journey. The journey itself is guaranteed. You are in totally safe hands. But will you trust God enough to reach the destination? The journey component is the on-going aspect of our lives. Where God is transforming us, cleaning us up. Philippians 2:12 (NIV) “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling…”

Every immoral lifestyle leads people away from God.

How does this relate to what we’re looking at? Every immoral lifestyle leads people away from God. It deceives them into thinking they can live however they want, without Him—which is the opposite of trusting Christ for salvation. The danger is that deception can grow until some believers no longer see their need for Christ at all. In the end, some may even reject the grace offered to them. It’s like throwing away a free cruise ticket with Christ and saying, “Why bother going to the destination Christ promised?”

Sexual immorality can wear someone down until they believe God cannot help them, or shame drives them from Him. Idolatry replaces God with something else. Greed consumes a person until their desires consume their whole life. Immorality puts people on a slippery path toward embracing wickedness and ultimately rejecting the God who calls them to righteousness.

I am not saying that any believer who sins is instantly in danger of losing salvation. But unrepented sin leads to backsliding, and backsliding can lead toward apostasy—unless we turn back to God in repentance.

THE CROSS AND PURITY

1 Corinthians 6:11 (NIV) “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

Do you realise what God did when you came to Christ? He washed your sins away—completely. He sanctified you, setting you apart as His holy possession. Deuteronomy 14:2 (NIV) “You are a people holy to the LORD… His treasured possession”

We are called to a new life—set apart for God.

And He justified you—declaring you righteous because of Christ. The Cross changed your standing before God forever. This is why Paul urged the Corinthians: “You belong to Christ now. You cannot live like the culture around you.” We are called to a new life—set apart for God. Romans 12:1 (NIV) “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices… holy and pleasing to God”. This is real worship: a life that is pure, holy, and pleasing to Him.

So how do we live this out? Romans 6:12 (NIV) “Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” So fix your orientation toward God. Turn your attention toward Him. Respond to His voice above every temptation. From experience, when I choose God first—right at the moment temptation calls—His presence becomes louder than the pull of sin. And that choice, made again and again, shapes a life that truly honours Him.

CALLED TO PRACTICAL PURITY

Let me share from this passage some practical thoughts on purity.

Purity from addictions

1 Corinthians 6:12-13 NIV) “12 "Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"--but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”

Paul confronted the Corinthian slogan, “Everything is permissible for me,” because it was only half‑true. Yes, we have freedom in Christ—but not everything is beneficial, and nothing must be allowed to master us. We are meant to be mastered by God alone. Luke 16:13 (NIV) “No servant can serve two masters…” Anything that masters us will eventually oppose God’s work of purifying our lives.

How do you know something has mastered you? When you cannot surrender it to God. “God, You can have anything… except my phone, my money, my relationship, my comfort.” Those “excepts” become roadblocks in our walk with Him.

How else do you know? When you listen to it more than you listen to God. Some listen more to a spouse, a friend, a habit, or a craving than to the voice of the Lord.

Choose today not to be mastered by anything but God Himself.

And how do you know you’re addicted? When you cannot lay it down for a extended time—whether it’s alcohol, drugs, smoking, social media, coffee, or your mobile. I have resolved not to be mastered by anything. So I urge you: Choose today not to be mastered by anything but God Himself. Seek help. Confront the addiction. Take responsibility. Honour God. Don’t believe the lie of the Devil who whispers, “You can get out of it anytime. Just enjoy it first.”

Purity of our temple

1 Corinthians 6:15-20 (NIV) “15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." 17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

The Corinthians believed it was acceptable to visit prostitutes – that it did not matter. But Paul shows why it absolutely matters.

First, our bodies belong to God. He is our Master. We must not use His property in ways that dishonour Him. It’s like scratching your boss’s car—you simply wouldn’t do it.

Second, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. They are sacred space. So we must ask: Am I treating my body as something holy and pure before God?

Third, our spirit is united with Christ. How can we join God’s temple to sexual immorality? How can the holy be joined to what is unholy?

Fourth, sexual sin harms our own bodies. It violates their holy purpose and pollutes what God has set apart. Even “casual” sexual relations can create unhealthy emotional and spiritual bonds—leaving unholy marks on the soul.

Scripture is unmistakably clear: Keep God’s temple pure.

Purity by fleeing (v18) “Flee from sexual immorality.”

The best way to avoid sexual immorality is to keep far away from it! Sexual immorality is not an area where you can say, “I have sufficient self-control. I can come really close to it. Examine it, prod it, even live with it and will not fall for it.” But those who do will eventually succumb to it!

The best policy is to get away from it. Do not allow ourselves to be tempted. Put some distance between yourself and the temptation. Don’t watch X-rated media. Don’t click that porn link. Don’t stay with your girlfriend or boyfriend in the same household – you are only tempting yourselves! And when you are at your weakest moment – it will pounce on you!

CONCLUSIONS

God’s Kingdom is holy and pure—and His House must reflect His nature. Only those made legally pure in Christ and who actively pursue righteousness will be found in His Kingdom. So let us stay alert to sins that pull us away from God. Instead, embrace your new life in Christ and pursue the holiness He calls you into.

How do we walk this path of purity? Choose today to be mastered by God alone. Guard the purity of His temple—your body. And when temptation comes, don’t negotiate with it. Flee. Let us honour God with lives that are pure, surrendered, and set apart for His glory.