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Tract Number 184
Audio download at bottom of page
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KEEP THYSELF PURE
BY Wilbur B. Dettweiler
We find that most all people are deceived by false preachers into believing that we all sin more or less every day and there is no escape from it. I told one of these false prophets a few years ago that if that was true (that we are all sinful) then no one would see God, for Jesus said (Matthew 5:8): “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they (and they alone) shall see God.” Twice (that we have a record of) Jesus said, “Go SIN NO MORE,” John 5:14; 8:11. We have so many scriptures which tell us we are new creatures and no longer living in sin. “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1st John 3:8. This tells us Christ came to destroy sin out of the Christian’s life. If He did not free us from sin, then his death was all IN VAIN. They would have far better continued the sacrifices of animals - but God’s word tells us, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” Hebrews 10:4, with 9:26b, “But now once in the end of the world (end of the ages, Emphatic Diaglott, from the Greek) hath he appeared to put away (remove) sin by the sacrifice of himself.” He left us an example, that ye should follow His steps: who did NO SIN, neither was GUILE found in his mouth. 1st Peter 2:21-22. Again, 1st John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to CLEANSE us from ALL unrighteousness,” (verses 8 and 10) “If we say we have no sin (to be cleansed from) we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, and if we say we have not sinned (in times past), we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and come short of, the glory God.”
It is very much in our choice and will power as to whether we are kept in God’s will or not. Some tell us there is nothing whatsoever that we can do toward keeping ourselves, that it is all up to the Lord. God supplies the power over all the forces of evil, but He never saves, nor does anything towards the keeping of an unwilling soul. No man is able to pluck us out of the Father’s hand, John 10:28,29, but God does not force anyone to stay in His hand. He only has volunteers - no draftees. Psalms 119:9, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word”. Psalms 119:109, (for) “My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.” Psalms 119:101, 102, “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from Thy judgments: for Thou hast taught me.” (But we must be willing to learn.)
1st Timothy 5:22, “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partakers of other men’s sins: KEEP THYSELF PURE.” James 1:27, “Pure religion and undefiled before God ---- is this ---- to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Many, and so sad to say, even ministers, fail to keep on their guard against the wiles of the devil. He knows our weakest points and he desires to have each one of us that he may sift us as wheat. He knows if our weak point is sexual desires and will cause someone to let down the bars to tempt us, and often causes ministers to be tempted in this point. We men need to be very careful when dealing with and praying for a girl or woman at the altar or even in praying for her healing. I feel we should avoid putting our hands on their arms or shoulders unless in the case of a near relative. I believe this to be among the most prominent sins and is condemned oftener in the Bible than other sins.
Then pride is the first mentioned in Proverbs 6:16-19 among seven things God hates. Any of these things are sinful and will cost us our souls. The last mentioned is, “He that soweth discord among brethren.” This is also a very prominent sin and is often the result of jealously among ministers or workers.
The scriptures mentioned above (1st Timothy 5:22), “Neither be partaker of other men’s sins: KEEP THYSELF PURE” was written by Paul, an old warrior of the cross, to Timothy, a young minister of the gospel, and shows us two very important facts, first, Timothy had been made pure by the Word, the Spirit, and the Blood of Christ, second, that he would lose this purity if he failed to avoid the sins common to man (1st Thessalonians 5:22), “Abstain from the very appearance of evil.” Beloved can we be any less cautious about our deeds, conversation and even our thoughts?
Wilbur B. Dettweiler
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