Religion.

Religion is nothing unless it is alive; unless there is evidence of it [faith] living in us.

If you view society through the media you could be forgiven for thinking that we actively seek the degraded and corrupt, but in reality there is something unequivocally attractive about purity. Despite all the corruption in the world we can identify and adore the pure (in part this is one of the deep ironies of the Christmas story and why it is so deeply sad that so many festive carols can be heard playing in shopping malls and yet people do not hear the hope of salvation that it announces).

We may be mocked and ignored but everyone is looking to see if what we have is real and pure.

“Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself… Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph 4:29-30, 32 (Msg)