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I’ve heard of brides who refuse to wear a white dress to their wedding because of events in their past. They feel unworthy and tainted.
I imagine we all understand that feeling to some extent. After all, God often refers to his people as his “bride.” What a strong word picture. “Bride” implies that God loves, honors, supports, and provides for us.
Bride also has implications for us. Namely, commitment. To enter into the covenant of marriage means to “forsake all others.” And in the time of engagement, you reserve yourself for that person alone.
Paul uses the concept to describe the commitment to purity we should have before God.
“For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2).
The phrase “pure virgin to Christ” may cause you to shudder. Perhaps you have a past that seems impossible to leave behind. Maybe certain sins in your life seem too powerful to overcome. I suppose for all of us the idea of being a “pure virgin” seems impossible.
But thankfully, “with God, all things are possible” Matthew 19:26) including reclaiming your purity.
In Psalm 51, after David had committed the despicable sin of adultery, he prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). In the original language, the phrase “Create in me a clean heart” literally means to “re-virginate.” That’s right, with God you can reclaim your spiritual virginity and become as pure as the driven snow (Psalm:7).
The cleansing that David was seeking is found in Christ (Ephesians 5:26-27). Ready to be humbled? You cannot be pure toward Christ without being cleansed by Christ!
Much like the prophet Hosea who remained faithful to Gomer, even though she was a prostitute, Christ has loved us with an unfailing, unconditional love. But unlike Hosea, Christ takes it one step further:
He actually transforms us from harlotry to holiness!
During our engagement period on earth, we eagerly anticipate the day we will be with the one who loves us completely -and wear garments of white without embarrassment!
Copyright © 2021 by Scott Attebery @https://scottattebery.com/christian-living/can-you-reclaim-purity/ No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org.