Be An Example in Purity

English

Adapted from SBC publication Pray for Us, May/June 2010, No. 223,
authored by Dr. Albert Ting, principal of Singapore Bible College (SBC), addressed to the 57th Graduating Class of SBC

I want to encourage you to pay attention to the cultivation of personal holiness. As Paul reminded Timothy, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Tim 4:12, NIV)," so we must also heed his exhortations seriously today. Be an example in purity!

In the uphill battle to uphold personal holiness, we are confronted with at least three challenges:

1. Instant Access
We are in an age where instant access to all sorts of data and information is readily available. The good news is that we have shortened the time of searching for vital information, but the bad news is that we are fully exposed to all kinds of distractions, including seductive and pornographic sites. When we are stressed out or lonely, we may be tempted to spend time surfing the internet and drift to these dangerous content.

2. Baggage
Some of us carry baggage from the past that has not been properly dealt with. We may have managed to be in control and learnt how to live with it. However, under intense pressure over a prolonged period of time, the contents of the baggage spill into our ministry. They may be old habits that have resurfaced or old wounds that have reopened, making us vulnerable to the onslaught of the Devil. They may also be long-buried doubts and identity criss that resurrect to haunt us. Our personal holiness can easily be compromised when we are assaulted by our unresolved past.

3. Anonymity
One of the baits of temptation is anonymity. The promise of privacy offers a safe haven for imaginations to run wild. It also emboldens us to cross the boundary towards the dark side. Furthermore, because it is not exposed, it tends to be repeated. Temptations will meet the path of least resistance under the cover of darkness, leaving little room for personal holiness.

As we seek to be faithful servants of Jesus Christ by labouring diligently in the ministry of the church, let us remember that one of the greatest blessings we can give to the church is to live a holy life. It takes intentional cultivation to overcome the seduction of the flesh:

(1) Be committed to an accountability group because accountability takes away the lure of anonymity;
(2) Be serious in our repentance because repentance really means to turn away from our old ways of life and to sin no more; and
(3) Be aware of the omnipresence of God because it keeps us vigilant when we are alone.

Let's commit ourselves to be an example of purity.

中文

成为圣洁的榜样

（摘自新加坡神学院《通讯与代祷》，2010年5/6月，嘉声223，
由新加坡学院院长陈世协博士写作，至第57届学院毕业班）

我想鼓励你们注意个人品格的圣洁。保罗在提摩太前书中提醒我们：“不可叫人小看你年轻。总要在言语、行为、爱心、信心、清洁上，都作信徒的榜样。”（提前4:12）今天我们也需要认真地听从保罗的劝导，成为一个圣洁的榜样！

在秉持个人圣洁的过程，我们最少会面临三方面的挑战：

第一：快捷的资讯
我们正处于一个互联网络兴盛，数位传输技术进步的时代。各样资料与信息的传送快速便捷无远弗届。网络发展所带来的便利缩短了寻找资料的时间，不但为生活带来了便利更提升工作效率。不过，快捷的搜寻也使我们不经意地接触到容易使我们分心的内容，甚至是淫秽和情色网站。当我们面对压力，孤单寂寞之时，我们也许就把这些网站当作放松和发泄的管道。

第二：过往的包袱
你们是否还背负过去未处理好的包袱？我们或许认为已经学习如何应对和控制，但是当我们长期处于巨大的压力时，这些过去的包袱就会干扰我们的事奉。这些包袱可能是我们的恶习，或是我们的旧伤口，使撒旦有机可乘。包袱里也可能装了隐藏在我们心已久的怀疑和自我身份的危机，使我们在事奉岗位上动摇。这时，个人品格的圣洁就很容易被忽略。

第三：身份的隐藏
面对试探时其中最大的诱惑之一就是身份的隐藏。网络世界，不但为个人的隐私权保密，还提供了一个安全的幻想空间，让人任凭肆意妄为。它也使我们大胆地跨越界限，渐渐地步入黑暗的深渊。因为身份隐藏，我们更加地容易越陷越深而无法自拔。在这种情况下，我们将会忽略圣洁在我们品格中发展的重要性。

当我们致力于为教会事工培育基督耶稣的忠心仆人，让我们切记，我们能为教会带来最大的祝福是：过一个圣洁的生活。我们必须努力培养圣洁的品格，以克服肉体的欲望。

一、委身于一个值得信赖的团体，帮助你远离试探的诱惑。

二、真实的悔改。一个真实的悔改是完全脱离罪恶的生活方式和道路，不再重蹈覆辙。

三、不要忘记神是无所不在的，当我们单独一个人的时候更要警醒。

让我们一起委身成为一个圣洁的榜样！