Overview: Merriam Wester’s Dictionary defines the word pure as follows: 1 : unmixed with any other matter <pure gold> (2) : free from dust, dirt, or taint <pure food> (3) SPOTLESS, STAINLESS b: free from harshness or roughness and being in tune -- used of a musical tone
cof a vowel: characterized by no appreciable alteration of articulation during utterance.
One of the most important areas in the life of a Christian is purity. In order to really be able to hear God’s voice in our lives we must fight to keep our thoughts, mind and lives pure. Isaiah, when he was ushered into the presence of God could only fall to his knees when he stood in the place of perfect holiness and purity.
God Himself, as He revealed himself through the Law to the nation of Israel said,
Leviticus 11:43-45 Do not defile yourselves by any of these creatures. Do not make yourselves unclean by means of them or be made unclean by them. 44 I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves about on the ground. 45 I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy .
Whenever anyone was in the presence of God and when they realized what was happening they were dumbfounded and struck by their sinfulness.
Acts 9:3-6 As Saul journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" 5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?"
Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [a] It is hard for you to kick against the goads." 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
Luke 5:7-9 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken;
Even the Roman soldiers when they came to capture Jesus were overwhelmed by the realization of who Jesus was.
John 18:4-6 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?" 5 They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground.
God is holy, just, perfect and pure and that is why we need to do everything we can do to keep our lives pure and holy, so that we have an open line of communication to God.
We can look at the life of Daniel and observe what he did as a young man after he was taken as a prisoner of the Babylonian army. To defy this army and a command of King Nebuchadnezzar could mean instant death. However, Daniel committed his life to God and did the following:
Daniel 1:3-8 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king's descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king's delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 6 Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego. 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel decided, no matter what, that he would not defile himself or do anything that would offend or break his commitment to God.
King David, who struggled with sin throughout his entire life cried out to God.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Jesus said; “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8
The Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Corinth left them this instruction.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
The Apostle Paul also encouraged Timothy, a young pastor.
2Timothy 2:21-22 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Finally, the Apostle John writes to believers the following:
I John 3:2-3 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
The key to purity is similar to keeping our hands clean. When we dirty our hands we wash them. When we have sin in our lives we need to confess it to God.
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Our roadmap for the Christian is to follow is the instruction that Paul gave to the Philippian church.
Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Conclusion: Purity , more then just a word but a lifestyle for the Christian as we desire to know God’s will for our lives. God is pure. God desires to fill us with His Holy Spirit that we might have the power we need to live a life that is pleasing to Him. Sin can block God’s blessings from our lives and keep us from living our lives the way God intended us to. Guard this area of your life with all your strength. God is calling us to live holy, just and pure lives so that we can be the witness to others of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness, through His Son, Jesus Christ..