I John 3:3 (Part 2)

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And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

THE STUDY:

          If you remember yesterday we talked about the measure of true holiness being Christlikeness. Holiness is not first and foremost adherence to rules or standards. Rather it is the divine life being lived out through us. This morning we want to look at what John mean by “purifies himself?” The basic idea is of the preparation required to enter the divine presence. The cultic background of the terminology is that of ritual purity. In John 11:55 those preparing themselves for Passover went to Jerusalem “for their ceremonial cleansing” (hagnisōsin, see Exod 19:10–11). But here the term should be understood ethically as in the rest of the NT (Jas 4:8; 1 Pet 1:22).

Related language appears in John 17:19 when Jesus said, “I sanctify myself” (hagiazō emauton). This is Jesus’ preparation just prior to his return to the immediate presence of the Father. Jesus’ self-sanctification (making himself holy!) is his dedication to the cross to fulfill the will of the Father. It is the ethic of the redemptive mission of the Christ, the supremely revealed way of life.

Yet one cannot humanly accomplish the cleansing, sanctifying work is required to conquer sin. Only the holy God can fully purge and sanctify. To purify self is to be understood in the context of the pardon and cleansing from sin that is available only through Christ’s atoning death. But after accepting Christ’s sacrifice for sin we present our lives “as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” (Rom 12:1). It is in this placing of our redeemed lives fully at God’s disposal that the call to purify self should be understood.

          This kind of living faith honors God and adheres to Scripture. A surrendered life gives God unhindered space in which to work. To the degree that we invite God’s purifying presence into our lives, to that degree we are engaged in purifying ourselves.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that a life that is given up, forgiven, and walking in Christ is a life that is purified. Christ purifies, we surrender! This can only be done through a life that is faithful to God and honors and obeys Gods Word!

CONCLUSION:

In 1887, just following an evangelistic meeting held by Dwight L. Moody, a young man stood to share his story in an after-service testimony meeting. As he was speaking, it became clear to many that he knew little about the Bible or acceptable Christian doctrine. His closing lines, however, spoke volumes to seasoned and new believers alike: I'm not quite sure. But I'm going to trust, and I'm going to obey.

Daniel Towner was in the audience that night and was so struck by the power of those simple words that he quickly jotted them down, and then delivered them to a man named John Sammis, who developed the lyrics to one of the favorite old time hymn, Trust and Obey.

          Purifying ourselves is simply trusting and obeying! Let your day be filled with trust in Jesus Christ and being obedient to His will for your life.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (113). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.