Scripture | 1 Timothy 5:22 ”Do not lay hands upon anyone hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself pure.”
Observation | In context, the tarnishing effects of friendship and partnership with church leaders who fall into and continue in sin or error is in view. Scripture promises that false teachers will arise from within the church (Acts 20:29–30; Jude 3, 4, 10-13). They maybe our friends. They maybe leaders in the church. They will sin, continue in sin and rationalize it when confronted, refusing to repent. To avoid such blemishing relationships, we are not to be hasty in our spiritual partnerships. We are to discern and test our relationships (1 John 4).
The second lesson we are taught by 1 Timothy 5:22 is that both guarding and separation are ways we keep ourselves pure of “sharing” in another’s sins. Some lukewarm believers will twist the concept of love to rationalize impurity in relationships with the ungodly. Yet a true believer understands a biblical love for God and others includes purity from sin, both in their own life and in regard to those they connect themselves to.
Our third lesson is that an active pursuit of righteous purity is both good and godly. Jesus said “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matt 5:8) Sin obscures God. Purity from sin, not only in external obedience, but an inner heart purity is characteristic of those who “see God.” The impure in this way and the careless one who claims Christ but openly allows his garments to be stained by the sin of others (Jude 23; 2 Pr 2:13) will struggle to understand scripture and struggle to follow God closely.
Application | What dirties my life and keeps it from being pure? What or who do I need to utterly cut out of my life so that I can keep myself pure? (Matthew 5:29–30) Where am I being disobedient to the plain and literal interpretation of God’s Word? What am I doing and what am I not doing that I ought to, to keep myself pure? In what ways do I need to repent in thoughts, words and deeds? Also, as we learn here, what connections with those who embrace sin are dirtying my life?
Critical Note >> There is a difference between those who continue in sin (1 Tim 5:20) and the sinner whom Jesus calls and who repents. Much impurity has been embraced by those who quote Jesus’ opponents in a positive fashion saying “Jesus was a friend of sinners.” To the sullying of their life and soul they miss Jesus correction of this view.
Jesus answered and said to them, “It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:31–32)
Jesus and His followers are friends of sinners who come to repentance (the x-tax collectors and x-harlots). Not those who continue in sin (the so called “religious” people). Repentance cleanses and purifies. Those who were in sin don’t bring Jesus into their sin with them, but Jesus brings them out of it through faith and repentance. << End note >>
What impurities do you need cleansing, repentance and forgiveness of? Turn to Jesus, He forgives those who come to Him in true faith. Whatever or whoever you need to remove from your life to keep yourself pure, the kingdom of God is worthy of it (Matt 13:45–46). Whatever it is, people may call you too strict and too serious about religion, but when you stand before your Heavenly Father pure of that sin on the last day, it is the ones who mocked you who will have regret and not you.
Prayer | Father, in thought, word and deed we have impurities in our lives. We are sick with sin and seek Your Son the great physician. Cure us with your forgiving love and then by the cleansing work of Your Spirit-powered Word purify us. Lead us not into temptation. Deliver us from evil. For we love You and know You are worthy of all we could give up to live in purity, for Your Glory alone! Amen!
