Purity + Conscience = Sincere Faith

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 ESV

I have goosebumps just thinking about this verse. This says so much to me and it touches the depths of my heart and soul. The aim or the goal is love. It's always the charge, love. But how do we live out the charge of love?

A. Pure heart

What does it mean to have a pure heart? What does it look like in a culture that is saturated with impurity? Is it possible to truly have a pure heart? Only Christ can give us a pure heart. Only He can wash away the stains of sin and defilement that we have so many times walked in. I long to have this pure heart, I desire purity in every way. Pure thoughts, pure motives, pure desires, pure love, pure truth, pure everything. Knowing Jesus is having and maintaining purity. Money cannot buy purity. It comes at a sacrifice and struggle against the flesh and the powers of this age.

B. Good Conscience

Out of a pure heart comes a good conscience. The Holy Spirit in a person is the One to convict us of sin and guide us in truth(John 14). A good conscience is the result of an intimate relationship with God. Walking day to day with a good conscience is freedom that this world does not know or understand. A good conscience comes through knowing that there is a greater path than the path of deceit, hypocrisy, and many other sinful forms and patterns.

C. A Sincere Faith

Paul sums up this verse with the outcome of a pure heart and a good conscience. A sincere faith is the sum of both of those put together. A sincere faith is a genuine faith, one that is without hypocrisy. A real and honest faith is what God desires and requires of His children. He is after sincerity and transparency. He is moved by genuine heart loving action towards one another. Our faith is a moving and action oriented faith. The only faith that will stand is a sincere faith, all other motivations that are not rooted in love and truth and humility will be dismissed. I long for a sincere faith in my everyday encounters with people and hopefully some will see the glory of God in those who live like Jesus.