Purity in God’s Word!

What is purity?  Matt. 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart.”  Pure from Greek, καθαρός (katharos) which means, “pertaining to being ritually clean or pure.” (L&N, 53.29)  One acceptable to God or good in His eyes.

What is purity?  καθαρός (katharos) Vines, “Free from impure admixture, without blemish, spotless…ethically, with the significance of being free from corrupt desire, from guilt.”

Purity in the Bible  καθαρός (katharos)  Physically – clean, Matt. 23:26 (clean dish), 27:59 (clean linen) 3:7  John 13:10-11 Jesus washes disciples feed, uses “clean” 3 times – a transition from physical to spiritual.

Purity in the Bible  καθαρός (katharos)  Acts 18:6, “I am clean.”  Acts 20:26, “I am innocent of the blood of all men.”  1 Tim. 3:9, “with a pure conscience”  Titus 1:15, “to the pure all things are pure…”

Purity in the Bible  καθαρός (katharos)  Heb. 10:22, “Our bodies washed with pure water.”  James 1:27, “Pure and undefiled religion.”

Purity in the Bible  ἁ γνός (Hagnos)  “Pertaining to being without moral defect or blemish and hence pure.” (L&N 88.28)  2 Cor. 7:11, “you proved yourself clear...”

Purity in the Bible  ἁ γνός (Hagnos)  2 Cor. 11:2, “that I may present you to Christ a chaste virgin…”  Phil. 4:8, “whatever things are pure…think on these things.”

Purity in the Bible  ἁ γνός (Hagnos)  1 Tim. 5:22, “…keep yourself pure.”  1 Pet. 3:2 “when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied with fear.”

Purity in the Bible  ἁ γνός (Hagnos)  Jas. 3:17, “Wisdom from above is first pure...”  James 4:8 “Cleanse your hands you sinners; and purify your hearts.”

Purity in the Bible  ἁ γνός (Hagnos)  1 Pet. 1:22, “Since you have purified your souls…”  1 John 3:3 “and everyone who has this hope purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

Purity in the Bible  Ε ἰ λικρινής (Elikrines) Unmixed! Pure motives  2 Pet. 3:1 “stir up your pure minds.”  ἄ δολος (Adolos) – sincere, without guile. 1 Pet. 2:2 “pure milk of the word”

Purity in the Bible  Summary, purity is something that is undiluted and unpolluted.

What is a pure heart?  A pure heart is the inner person (will, emotions and attitude) that is unpolluted and undiluted in its loyalty to God.

What is a pure heart?  One cannot purify himself of sin, he must take the necessary steps to have his sins washed away ( cf. Ac 22:16 )

What is a pure heart?  Not only does it involve good conduct (actions), but it is accompanied by clean and proper motives. 1 Pet. 1:22 2 Tim. 2:22 1 Tim. 1:5

What is a pure heart?  A pure heart lives to serve God!  He is motivated by his relationship with God – cf. 2 Tim. 2:22  He will keep God’s moral laws as well as His commands!

What is a pure heart?  A pure heart serves God!  Realization the body is the temple of God – 1 Cor. 6:19, Rom. 8:9, Jn. 14:23  We seek to keep His “house” clean – Psa. 24:3-4, 140:13

What is a pure heart?  A pure heart serves God!  He will sanctify himself before God – 1 Pet. 3:15  He will be putting God first – Matt. 6:33, cf. Matt 6:24, Lk. 8:14, Jas. 4:4

What is a pure heart?  A pure heart seeks to keep itself pure  What we do proceeds from the heart – Matt. 15:16-20,  Jn. 3:19-21 – darkness vs. light Are we allowing light or darkness into our hearts?  Thought: Do we WANT the wrong things?

What is a pure heart?  A pure heart is not afraid to be examined  2 Cor. 6:11, a heart wide open  2 Cor. 13:5 – Are we AFRAID to examine ourselves?

What is a pure heart?  Examining the heart!  We ought to welcome examination if it promotes improvement! Psa. 26:2-5, cf. Acts 25:11, Jn. 8:46  AM I ready to stand before God right now?

What is a pure heart?  A pure heart has no ulterior motives  Jas. 4:7-8 speaks of the double- minded man.  When our motives are pure, we have nothing to fear.

CHALLENGE: This week take some time to HONESTLY examine the motives behind your conduct. Would you want God to audit your life right now? IF not, you have work to do!

Is your heart pure?