Intemerate

“Intemerate” means “undefiled” or “pure” and arrived in 16th Century English from the Latin “temerate” which means “recklessly” or “blindly.”

Today’s Believers need a return to an emphasis upon being “Intemerate.” We often seem to glorify those who have lived recklessly in their earlier years while remaining curiously silent concerning those whose lives have consistently reflected a lifestyle modeled after Christ. Such exaltation leads youth, and seemingly adults, to believe that such a time of wildness is necessary if one is to have a “great testimony.”

Unlike bygone days, today’s societal mores serve as little restraint for those who go forth to “sow some wild oats.” Reckless living today is seen in not just the hidden fulfillment of lust between teens, but in the open disregard of Biblical standards even by those who profess to believe God’s Word as they live together without marriage, and indulge in all manner of hedonistic activities with the tacit approval of society at large, and the New Testament Church in particular.

While some may argue that the New Testament Church condemns such reckless living, the lie is proven in the widespread disregard for the Biblical injunction to deal in loving, yet firm discipline with those who claim the name of Christ, yet continue in “temerate” living.

A return to emphasizing “purity” and “holiness” with the corresponding disciplinary action of local New Testament Churches toward those who flaunt their hedonistic lifestyle is absolutely essential, it seems to this writer, if we are to rebuild a society which reflects Christian principles.

Should you and I purpose to live our lives consistent with New Testament teachings, we could become a force within those local churches where we congregate as the family of God. Those local assemblies could begin once again to believe and act on Christ’s injunction to be salt and light to the world, by transforming the society around us, rather than conforming to that society.

During this Thanksgiving Season, let’s look around and give thanks for those among us who have lived “Intemerate” lives as an example for us all that one need not live a degrading and reckless lifestyle, but that God can keep us from such, and that is perhaps a greater work than deliverance from such a lifestyle.