Purity Precedes Peace! by Myra Boozer

There are so many voices in our world today and I seem to be one of them. I believe that all those who love God and are the called according to His purpose must sound the alarm and tell people what the Bible has to say. 1 Peter 4:7 reads, "The end of all things is at hand (near): be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." To watch means to be awake, alert in order to guard.

Have you ever been so overtaken by something...bad news...or an accident...that you felt your senses were dulled and you could not pray? We must seek God to temper (qualify) us for those times ahead...that we will be alert and sober minded so we can pray.

I find myself needing to know what to pray and how to pray. I need wisdom, not wisdom that the world gives but wisdom from God...James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” The word “upbraideth” means to rebuke severely, censure, scold. So, we don't have to worry that God is not interested in giving us wisdom. If we ask, He will give liberally and without rebuke or scolding. This is a wonderful promise.

To continue from a recent submission on the description of wisdom from the book of James 3:17-18...the first and foremost characteristic is "wisdom is pure"...the second one is “peaceable.” We can see that even though our world may be seeking "peace," it is characterized by dissension and controversy. BUT the wisdom of God is peaceable, "peace loving" (NIV). This is not peace at any price...notice peace does not precede purity...it is "pure then peaceable."

God's ultimate intention for the world is peace! Matt 5:9 "blessed are the peacemakers…" I do not think that accepting what the world wants us to accept (any ungodly lifestyle) is going to bring peace because that would be "by-passing" purity. That is not the answer.

Even though we may not have external peace, as followers of Christ we are blessed with the inward peace that only God can give. Jesus stated in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid…" The Lord so desires to take away ALL our fears and replace them with peace...a peace that surpasses all our understanding...fear of dying...fear of war or famine...fear of all that is coming on this world.

It is so amazing what He can do when we ASK! Just remember, ask for purity (a cleansing of the heart, mind and soul first). It comes before peace. Peace will not invade a heart where the love of God does not reside! Purity Precedes Peace!