When Christ saves us, we are immediately forgiven, but we are not entirely pure. For though our sins are now completely forgiven, our sinful habits and attitudes may still remain. Before we were Christians, we cared not what God’s standards were. We selfishly pursued whatever evil desires lay within our heart. Our sinful flesh resonated with the temptations and values of the world and we lived our life in conformity to them.
Once we were saved, the Holy Spirit opened our eyes to how evil we had been. What had seemed commonplace and acceptable to us before suddenly appeared heinous in the light of Christ’s holy presence. Having been saved from our sin, we were abhorred at the thought of breathing new life into them.
So we began to live holy and pure lives. We renounced our sinful habits. We invited the Holy Spirit to consecrate us and remove any objectionable habits or practices from our lives. Those who truly belong to Christ will strive to purify themselves. They will allow the Holy Spirit free reign in their lives to remove anything in them that is not like Christ.