The answer is “yes”, I am washing my hands way more often than I ever was before the virus quarantine. On average, it now takes me at least twenty-five seconds. I scrub my cuticles, and make certain I get the stuff out from under my finger nails. I haven’t done as well, however, when it comes to keeping my hands away from my face. When I itch – I scratch. I’ll keep working at it.
Those who are informed, tell me it is all a part of cleanliness, abstention, and purity. It could make a difference as to whither I live or die of coronavirus. “Jeepers . . . I don’t want to die!” But you can tell if I am really serious about the situation by whether my behavior is consistent with what I say I believe. So, I’ve decided to try to stay clean and pure!
There is another aspect of “purity” that I have been thinking a lot about lately. This idea of purity has to do with the character of a person. Words like, authenticity, genuineness, validity, and reliability pop into my mind. Is it even remotely possible that this aspect of the concept of “purity” could be equally as important to your life as physical wholesomeness is to your life?
I have come to believe that your character is the sum total of all the values and decisions you determined to be “right” and desirable. On purpose, you have embraced those decisions and have included them in your own persona. What you believe is who you are . . . the rest is “psycho-babble”.
If I have decided to be clean, sanitary, and pure regarding my earthy, physical life, then, I will demonstrate that intention and objective by consistently doing such things as thoroughly washing my hands and not allowing some infected person to sneeze in my face.
So, if my goal and intention was for my life to be “pure” in such things as authenticity, legitimacy, truthfulness, reliability, and trustworthiness, how would my behavior be demonstrated to others around me? How would it effect my relationships with my friends and co-workers? How would I act?
It strikes me that “purity” is more than just passive – it’s active, engaged, and demonstrated – not just something to look at, like a picture. Purity in the character of my personal life is an absolutely indispensable condition if I desire to have successful relationships with others. It has to do with my “self” being in correct perspective and position.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus articulated a staggering concept: “. . . purity is best demonstrated by generosity.” Generosity is inexorably connected to the attitude of compassion.
It’s really tough to fake the true spirit of compassion. It would be like trying to fake the purity of virginity. Purity of character speaks of a clean heart, a single eye, a transparency of motive, and a soul full of God.
As we know, generosity and compassion aren’t about donations, gifts, or money – it’s about the heart. And I am convinced that compassion and generosity have the power to renew our human race. The spirit of generosity, perhaps more than anything else, is about how we treat people.
Yes, I want to be physically clean in this world of pandemics, quarantines, and weird viruses. But I am really striving for the greatest purity – the purity of authenticity, genuineness, and trustworthiness -- the purity of the heart. God doesn’t insist on gold vessels, nor even silver vessels, but He does demand clean vessels.
“Purity is best demonstrated by generosity.” (Luke 11:41 TLB)