Purity of Perception

To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled. - Titus 1:15 HCSB

A tzaddik decided that he wanted to find a city that would be conducive to holy living. Being a wealthy man, he sent servants everywhere, each with a sum of money for expenses, and gave them the mission of finding him a potential home.

One of the servants arrived in a town we’ll call Caleb, but instead of doing his job, he decided to spend the money on a lavish hotel and a hedonistic lifestyle. Of course, he ended up with the wrong crowd and got robbed. He returned to his master and said, “Master, the town of Caleb is completely corrupt, with nothing but thieves and cut-throats within its borders.”

His description of the town was so extreme that the tzaddik had a hard time believing it so he sent a second servant to the same town. This second servant was also given a sum of money, but instead of wasting it on worldly pleasures, he found a modest but comfortable room in a nice motel and went about looking for some people his master would care to befriend. He came upon a house of worship and soon found some wonderful, caring and compassionate people who reached out to him.

He returned to his master and reported, “Master, the town of Caleb is filled with righteous and holy people who are quick to reach out and serve others.” After the first report, the tzaddik was surprised upon hearing this second servant’s evaluation and decided to go see for himself. After looking around for a few days, he realized what had happened. Each man had been drawn to the elements of the city that were like his own spirit. How they saw the city said more about themselves than it did of the city.

Paul told Titus, “To the pure, everything is pure.” He did not mean that the pure of heart wear rosy glasses and are completely unaware of the reality of a given situation. He was simply restating the truth he had taught the Corinthians church saying, love “finds no joy in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things…”[1]

The Ransomed recognize the innate sinful nature of the humans around them, but have a developed sense of hope that they will overcome their sinfulness, submit their wicked hearts to Christ and thereby find peace with God. Being shrewd as serpents, they possess insight and even cunning as to the right strategy to take. However, being harmless as doves, their motivations remain pure.[2] Because of this inward gratitude at having had their sin-debts cancelled, the Ransomed are quick to overlook, or forgive, the sin-debts of others.[3]

Our heart’s condition is always revealed by our words and actions.[4] So what is your town like?

[1] 1 Corinthians 13:6-7
[2] Matthew 10:16
[3] Matthew 6:12; Mark 11:25; Luke 17:3-4
[4] Matthew 7:16-20; 12:33-37; Luke 6:44-45