KEEP THYSELF PURE
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: KEEP THYSELF PURE. 1 Tim 5:22 KJV.
Do you know that the electrical conductivity of a conductor is directly proportional to its purity? The electrical conductivity of a conductor will decrease with an increase in impurities. Impurities introduce resistance into a conductor and thus reduce the flow of current.
Just like an electrical conductor, a Christian minister is a conductor or channels of the virtues of God. And impurities will limit or hinder the flow of God’s grace.
Paul tells Timothy, as a minister of God, you have to keep yourself pure from things that can prevent the flow of the grace of God. This duty is such that you must do. It is your personal duty as a Christian minister. God will not do it for you.And it surprises me what Paul was telling Timothy to keep himself pure from-dangerous association and approval of bad men, men of loose lives and principles. Timothy must not be accessory to other men’s sin.
Evil communication corrupts good manner, keep thyself pure. Be careful of wrong association (either with person or group of persons), it can stop the flow of the grace of God. When Jehoshaphat,a righteous, Southern king of Israel joined affinity with Ahab-a wicked Northern king of Israel, Jehoshaphat’s ships were broken, his mission was hindered. It is a pernicious (exceedingly harmful) thing to join in friendship and society with evil doers and false brethren. Be careful of approving and recommending people to knew little or nothing about. Lay hand suddenly on no man (that is, don’t appoint people into leadership anyhow). Keep thyself pure.
We court disaster when we enter into partnership with unbelievers, because our very foundation differs (2 Cor. 6:14-18). While one serves the Lord, the other does not recognize God’s authority. Inevitably, the one who serves God is faced with the temptation to compromise values. When that happens, spiritual disaster results. Don’t let your relationship with unbelievers or false brethren lead you away from Christ and His purpose for your life. Keep thyself pure.
Bitterness and unforgiveness as a result of offenses hinder the flow of grace, keep thyself pure. Sexual uncleanness blocks the stream of the water of life, keep thyself pure. Pride in the heart terminates divine appointment, keep thyself pure.
Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let everyone that nameth the name of Christ departs from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 2 Tim 2:19-21 KJV
