How should I respond to God’s purifying work in my life?

Psalm 51:1-4Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

Like David, develop a readiness to repent whenever God shows you something that needs correction or removal from your life.

Matthew 23:23“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.”

1 Timothy 4:15-16Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

Pride and perfectionism do not lead to purity. God commanded tithing because he valued generosity and gratitude, but the Pharisees did not tithe out of generosity—they tithed to impress others. Like Timothy, pursue Jesus with a sincere heart and a desire for progress.

1 John 4:16-18We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

If your pursuit of purity is filled with fear—such as fear of being unworthy and unloved—then re-read this verse. God loves you. You can trust that. And as you come to know his love, you will change to become more like him. God doesn’t need you to be pure before you come to him. He wants you to come to him so he can make you pure—free from the sin, shame, and fear that torment you.

Matthew 19:19“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Part of allowing God to work in us is seeing ourselves as he sees us. If a friend is struggling with a sin, it’s easy for us to see that they are more than that sin. It’s easy for us to recognize God’s love for them and encourage them. It’s sometimes harder to show that same love to ourselves. Self-love can become toxic and selfish when we allow it to crowd out our love for God and others, but self-hatred is equally wrong. Part of loving God is loving his children—including yourself.

Romans 8:26-27The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

Galatians 5:25Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and be encouraged that he is active in your life. He will lead you toward greater purity of heart, mind, and action.

2 Corinthians 4:18So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Philippians 3:13-14I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Don’t allow past failures or present troubles to discourage you. Remind yourself of the eternal joy that lies ahead.

Matthew 6:33“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Philippians 1:6I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

In the end, your purity will not be achieved through your own wisdom or strength, but through God’s work in your willing heart.