Pursuing Personal Purity

1 John 3:1-3

Theme: God encourages us to Pursue Personal Purity with the hope of Christ’s coming for us in the Rapture.

The Sons of God Practice Righteousness and Shun Sinfulness (1Jn. 3:1-10). John is concentrating on sonship—God’s children or family. He emphasizes being “born of God” (see 3:9; 4:7; 5:4). Recall in John 3 the apostle emphasized the theme “God is love” (4:8, 16). Here he articulates that a true child of God will prove his spiritual birth by practicing righteousness and shunning sin—being obedient to God’s Word.

God Encourages Us to Live Right with the Hope of Christ’s Coming (1Jn. 3:1-3). Through faith we are now God’s children. When Jesus appears we will be completely like Him. As we keep His promise of transformation in view, and fix our desire on the goal of perfection, we will grow in purity here and now (3:1–3).  There are three motivations John uses to inspire progress in growth: the love of God, Christ’s return, and Christ’s purity.

God’s Amazing Love Encourages Us to Pursue Purity (3:1). 

Consider the Love of God that Brought Us into His Family in the Past. The thought of being born of God arrests John with wonder, and he invites us to “behold” God’s love also.   He beckons to us to stand in awe at the particular kind of wonderful love that brought us into the family of God. Such a lavish display of love should stimulate a life of righteous obedience to God.

God’s Love is from Out of This World! The phrase, “What manner of” actually means, “from what country, race or tribe?” and denotes something out of this world.

The phrase “what manner of” refers of something foreign. ““Behold, what foreign-kind of love” is literally what John writes.”—Wiersbe  

The love of God is foreign to the human race. It is not found naturally in humanity. When it exists there, it is in a saved individual, and by reason of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Smith suggests, “from what far realm? What unearthly love,… how other-worldly.” –Wuest

The Bible gives Us a Snap Shot Description of God’s Love.

God's love is forgiving (Luke 15:7).

God's love is beyond measure (Rom 8:38-39).

God's love is eternal (Jer. 31:3).  

God's love is sacrificial (John 3:16).  

God's love is inexhaustible (Ps 136:1).

I pray these appealing words will minister to you as they extol the profound truth of Christ’s out-of-this-world love for each of us. Beloved allow these words to move you to awe even now.

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul! What wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, to bear the dreadful curse for my soul. –What Wondrous Love is This

God’s Love Established Us as Sons of God! In the Bible the word “called” indicates that this is what we actually are!  We are (“called to be saints,” lit., “called holy” [1 Cor. 1:2]). Believers are “called the sons of God” because we are the born-ones of “the Father.”

God could have saved us without making us sons of God. But the manner of God’s love is shown in that he brought us into His family as children. Beloved, contemplate the greatness of the divine love (Jer. 33:3; Jn 15:9; Rev. 1:5, 6)!

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure—the saints’ and angels’ song. –Frederick M. Lehman: The Love Of God

God will give us the power and strength to grasp how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ truly is (Eph. 3:17-19). We must pray for such enlightenment and strength! Christ’s love is an immense concept to be comprehended. Yet God wants us to know experientially the love of Christ that supersedes all knowledge (Phil. 4:7). The more a Christian knows Christ, the more amazed he is at Christ’s love for him.   Stand with John in amazement of God’s love.  Appreciate the fact that God’s love is expressed to you, that Christians are included in His family. God loves you believer, whether you are weak or well or strong. The Lord Jesus on the night of His betrayal loved His own; “having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end” (John 13:1). He still loves you also!

God’s Love Suffered the Cross of Calvary for Sinners! Paul had this idea in mind when he wrote Rom. 5:6–10.

John 15:13, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Not father or mother has loved you as God has, for it was that you might be happy He gave His only Son. When He bowed His head in the death hour, love solemnized [made official] its triumph; the sacrifice there was complete.—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 “Behold” (1Jn. 3:1) this wonderful display of love! “Behold” means to look in order to perceive, understand or know more fully! God wants us to grasp and appreciate His awesome display of love toward us. Don’t ignore it or take it for granted. Instead focus and concentrate on it as a motivating power in your heart! Reflect often on the wondrous love of Christ!

Love is the greatest motive in the world, and if we understand God’s love, we will obey His Word. “If ye love me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). –Weirsbe

It was Isaac Watts who wrote the great hymn When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.  In the last stanza he wrote, “Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.”

God’s Love Is In Stark Contrast To The Love Of The World (3:1).

The world loves those who love them, while God loves even those who disobey Him. Of course, the world has no understanding of this love, and the world hates us. So as we journey from day to day, the world does not recognize us as children of God. The people of the world do not understand us or the way we behave.

Remember, the world did not understand the Lord Jesus when He was here on earth. “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. ¹¹ He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:10-11). Since we have the same characteristics as the Lord Jesus, we cannot expect the world to understand us, either. They do not know Christ, so they cannot know Christ’s family.

Christ’s Appearance in the Rapture Encourages Us to Pursue Purity (3:2). 

Consider the Hope of Transformation at Christ’s Coming in the Future. The fact that we are presently the sons of God, guarantees our future glory through the rapture (3:2).  Our future glorification has not yet been revealed, but we are confident that when Christ is revealed, we shall be 

like Him. Our perception is purely spiritual; there is no physical evidence of this that any eye can see.

What we are now in Christ is wonderful; but what we shall be is even more wonderful!

Jesus Christ will Appear as Promised!

         1.      1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: ¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

        2.      2 Peter 3:11, Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

        3.      2 Peter 3:14, Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Christ Gives Us the Anticipation of Complete Transformation—“We shall be like Him.”

This does not mean that we will be physically like Jesus in heaven. The Lord Jesus will have His own definite appearance, and will bear the scars of Calvary throughout eternity. Each of us, we believe, will have his own distinct features and will be recognizable as such. The Bible does not teach that everyone will look alike in heaven.

However, we will be morally like the Lord Jesus Christ. We will be free from the possibility of defilement, sin, sickness, sorrow, and death. This means inheriting a glorified body like His body (Phil. 3:20–21) and sharing in His eternal glory (John 17:24).

And how will this marvelous transformation be accomplished? (1Jn. 3:2)

       1.   When the Rapture Trumpet Sounds! (1 Cor. 15:52-54)

       2.    When We Finally See Jesus!

The answer is that one look at Christ will bring it to pass. “For we shall see Him as He is.” The physical changes in Christians await the coming of Christ. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him (Phil. 3:21). This transformation will result from seeing Him!

Here in life, the process of becoming like Christ is going on, as we behold Him by faith in the Word of God (2Cor. 3:17-18). But then the process will be absolutely complete when we see Him as He is: for to see Him is to be like Him.

Christ’s Purity Encourages Us to Pursue Purity (3:3). 

Consider how the Purity of Christ Stimulates Personal Purification Today.  

Christ is Pure!

       1.      Hebrews 7:26, For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

       2.      1 Peter 2:22, Who [Jesus] did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

       3.      John 19:4, Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them [Jews], Behold, I bring him [Jesus] forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

      4.       Luke 23:41, And we [thieves] indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man [Jesus] hath done nothing amiss.

       5.      2 Cor 5:21, For he [God] hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

       6.      Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

       7.      1 John 4:17, Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (Also 1John 2:2; 3:5; Rev. 3:7)

Christ is Coming; therefore, Purify Yourself.

Believers who really have this hope and expect Christ to return will obey His Word and keep their lives clean.  They are not difficult to recognize! Their pure walk identifies them! (Eph. 5:1-13; Gal. 5:14-26)

We shall see Him “as He is,” but we must also “walk, even as He walked” (see 1Jn. 2:6) and do “righteous, even as He is righteous” (1Jn. 3:7).

We are expected to purify ourselves—“everyone that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself,” that is, keep our hearts clean (2 Cor. 7:1; 1Jn. 1:7-9). New life results in continuous purification from sins as we anticipate meeting Christ Who is perfectly pure (Heb. 7:26; 1Jn. 4:17).

This is what God expects of us as believers—Christ is our standard.  Not some believer who is stumbling and failing constantly, but Jesus Christ the Righteous Himself! Our perception of His purity and conception of biblical purity will drive our own quest and yearning for purity. The clearer our view of Christ’s purity, the greater purity of life we will strive for.  But if our estimation of Christ is deficient, then our desire for chastity of life will be greatly deficient.  It is not wise to compare ourselves with each other as a standard of righteousness, it is best to compare yourself with the spotless Son of God in His brilliant spotlessness.

For Goodness Sake!!

Is fighting the Ebola virus on the continent of Africa a good idea? Should we spend more American tax dollars to provide supplies and medicines to refugees affected by the religious persecutions and wars in Iraq and Syria? Is it wise to help US veterans who are disabled and or struggling with PTSD regain their balance to make a fresh start? Should the Veteran Administration Hospitals provide higher quality service and care to those who have hazarded their lives serving our country? These are legitimate considerations facing our country collectively and each of us as Americans. As a prospering nation it is incumbent upon us to show forth goodness to others around the world while diligently addressing the swelling needs here at home. Furthermore Christians are responsible for demonstrating the goodness of God on a daily basis through acts of kindness and generosity. This brings us to another aspect of the fruit of the Spirit called “goodness.” Once more the great Apostle Paul says to us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23). What is goodness according to the Bible?

GOODNESS

In Romans 15:14, Paul says, “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.” Christians are to be “full of goodness” and this fits them for meaningful ministries of encouragement, exhortation, and warning to others. We should reserve zero room for evil expressions. Again in Ephesians 5:8-10, he says, “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9, (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)10, Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” “All goodness” is consistent with living according to God’s light and Word; goodness is the fruit of the Spirit, and all genuine goodness is acceptable to the Lord Jesus. Of supreme importance is the fact that God, not society, defines goodness and all types thereof. Once more Paul says in Second Thessalonians 1:11-12, “Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12, That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” There is a goodness that belongs to God; a kind of goodness He delights to show and work out in and through Believers for Christ’s glory. Goodness actually demonstrates the grace of God as it influence our lives. Grace marks and controls the expression of goodness. Thus goodness is not merely a passive quality in Believers; it is a deliberate preference to what is right, and a decided rejection of moral evil. Goodness utterly insists upon opposing evil while persisting to follow and choose all forms of moral good (Easton’s Bible Dictionary).

So then the sixth quality the Holy Spirit produces in Believers is “goodness” (Gal. 5:22) toward all including those who have been intentionally insensitive or have sought to do harm to others. Goodness may not only be thought of as uprightness of soul, but also as outward-reaching actions toward others to help or benefit them even when it is not deserved. Goodness is virtue in both disposition and deportment. It is morality within and usefulness demonstrated. Christians must perform that which is beneficial toward others regardless of who they are while pursuing what is good for society. A person’s failed past does not automatically forfeit all expressions of goodness towards them from individuals or society. 

A defining question should be entertained at this point, “Is all ‘goodness’ God’s goodness?” It is imperative that we remember that ‘good’ is to be defined by God and not society at large. Modern secularized values persistently call good evil and evil good. The new morality is actually the same old evil of a past generation. Society influenced by a warp and twisted media will sanction sinful, evil, and outrageous practices in the name of doing ‘good.’ To the biblically illiterate alternative lifestyles are good, drug usage is good, recreational sex is good, consuming alcohol is good, cheating on your marriage is good, aborting babies is good, killing the elderly is good, and corrupt business and government is good. Our society is utterly inept at deciding or executing authentic goodness!

Biblically speaking good encompasses right motives, moral endeavors, and godly outcomes. So, to be considered “good” requires virtuous purposes, a wholesome undertaking or task that actually pleases God, and the end product is honoring to God and truly beneficial to humanity. Biblical goodness does not accommodate the relativistic and situational ethic kind of ‘good’ so common today. There is no conception of using morally evil means to secure ‘good’ ends. Nor is there toleration for wicked endeavors that brought about ‘good’ developments. No leniency is afforded for a net ‘good’ merely because the motives were right. This is because God’s standards for goodness are absolute. He requires wholesome tasks performed with spiritual motives and righteous outcomes. Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Youngblood, and Bruce 1995) says:

Goodness—the quality of being good; praiseworthy character; moral excellence. The Bible speaks often of the goodness of God (Ex. 33:19; Rom. 2:4). God’s goodness consists of righteousness, holiness, justice, kindness, grace, mercy, and love. Goodness is also one of the fruits of the Spirit that should characterize Christian believers (Gal. 5:22). Christians are called to goodness, even as God the Father is perfect and good (Matt. 5:48).

Therefore, a believer branded by spiritual “goodness” will manifest righteousness, holiness, justice, kindness, grace, mercy, and love in action. Though these qualities are perfect in our heavenly Father, they are quite imperfect in us His children. Nevertheless He is the standard of genuine goodness. The Spirit of God will communicate these same qualities into the yielded believer’s experience. That is, we will do right because it is indeed right, be set apart unto God’s will and pleasure, fair/honest in our dealings, kind towards the deserving and undeserving alike, graceful toward all, show mercy to those admitting their failures while affording opportunities for redemption, and give love to friends and foes unconditionally. The glory of God is upon such a life; Christ is greatly honored through such expressions. The more mature we are in Christ, the more prominently “goodness” will pervade our personalities.

Goodness can also be described as “generosity of self and possessions.”  It includes hospitality and a multiplicity of acts of benevolence, charitableness, generosity, philanthropy, and thoughtfulness that flow from an unselfish heart. It portrays a kind soul who is far more interested in investing in the lives of others than receiving.  God’s desire for all believers is that we continue actively engaging in multiplied good works. This is precisely what Paul prescribed in Titus 3:8, “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” God plans for His people to be intentionally plugged into activities, ventures, venues, and opportunities that express goodness—organizations that are profitable to humanity. Bible believing churches always need more bus workers, evangelism ministries always need more participants, homeless ministries constantly need volunteers, discipleship ministries need workers, and jail ministries could use a great deal more help. The person who is often given to melancholy moods, gloom and depression because of an over indulgence in self-centered thinking needs this quality.  There is something restorative about serving others that lifts a person out of the rut of self-thoughts. 

To see goodness in action consider the life of the Lord Jesus who ceaselessly “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38; Matt. 9:35; 12:15; 15:21-31). Consider the record of Matthew,

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. ²⁴ And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. ²⁵ And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan (Matthew 4:23-25).

No one would argue that these were not genuinely good actions performed by the Lord Jesus. He filled up His life with such helpful exercises of service to God and mankind. He recruited and trained others to serve alongside Himself and to continue such spiritual and benevolent acts/deeds. Likewise it is still good to preach the Gospel of salvation, teach the truth of God’s Word to transform lives, and labor to heal people’s bodies and minds. According to our Lord Jesus’ example, it is good to help folks overcome the forces of evil and darkness in their individual struggles, deal with the mistakes and failures of their past, and fight the spread of violent diseases. These are good endeavors before God and for the good of humanity. The Lord Jesus made these the focus of His ministry to others. The kind of help He afforded empowered, lifted, and transformed the present situation posturing people for a better future. He did NOT perpetuate a victim mentality! His incredible works demonstrated that He is indeed the Messiah, the Son of God, and what was truly important to God. The Lord Jesus helped people with their most pressing spiritual needs, and He ministered to their temporal needs as well. He gave them bread to eat that He may offer them the Bread of Life (John 6). He freed people from sin and it’s power that they may experience all their potential in the plan of God for them. The dysfunctional become functional and the disenfranchised are invested with fresh opportunities because of Christ’s goodness to us all.

One could also read Luke 10:30–35, where the Good Samaritan showed himself a good neighbor.  Though there was hostility and religious animosity between the Samaritans and the Jews, still he did everything in his power to aid this fallen Jewish traveler. He not only overcame cultural prejudices, but he defined what it means to be a real neighbor. The Samaritan took the time, altered his schedule, possibly endangered himself, invested his money, valued commonalities more than their differences, took the necessary pains to be of help, generously used his resources, sought to alleviate a real need, and made whatever arrangements were necessary to help this wounded man. He did good because he fundamentally valued another human life. The power of goodness is still just as potent in this modern age of injustice and prejudices. It can still transform individuals and societies through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and submissive believers. Too many Christians fear the fact that showing goodness will cost them. It will cost time, energy, and resources. It is almost never convenient, and yes, we will have times when we feel used and unappreciated. Yes, we will be challenged repeatedly to reevaluate our priorities—what is truly or most important?

But what about the risks involved with helping troubled people? Yes, people will try to take advantage of our goodness. Yes, there are serious inherent dangers to fighting viruses and diseases like Ebola. Yes, our nice and neat schedules will be altered, interrupted, and changed again…again…and again…. Yes, it will cost you and me personally and it will cost the churches or organizations we serve with. Yes, we must take serious precautions/considerations before bringing a homeless stranger into our home for the winter. Yes, there will be occasions when we feel like we are not making any progress. Yes, there will be times when we question whether all this is worthwhile. Yes, there will be setbacks, frustrations, unanticipated roadblocks, regulatory issues, misunderstandings, opposition from those who question our motives, and legal hurdles to clear, but we must remember what we are doing. Yes, we may have to give up a certain higher quality of life…perhaps less personal luxuries in order to address the raw needs of others. Yes, there will be people trying to take advantage of our services or help perpetually. Yes, we will have to make some difficult decisions concerning those who do not want Christ and the Gospel; they really only want a meal or yet another handout. Still…still…still difficulties in worthwhile endeavors are worth the headaches! With proper consideration for biblical guidance, laws, regulations, protocols, and risk management, we continue to maintain good works that are pleasing to God and good for people. There will be “Christian” groups who will criticize us for being too temporal, too social, or too liberal. Let them say what they will; model your efforts after those of the Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry. Remember our Lord had many critics who did NOTHING to address people’s spiritual, physical, or otherwise real needs! Like the religious leaders in our Lord’s time, these are far too concern with their personal interests to really be of help to anyone.

There will be times when the Holy Spirit will prompt us Christians to perform a kind act of service. We need to be sensitive and follow these divine impulses. D. L. Moody once stated that it was his custom, after presenting himself to the Holy Spirit’s leadership, to act upon the impulses which came to mind, provided they did not involve violating any known principle of the Word. Is this not a healthy practice to personally adopt? God will transform the inner life as we experience the joy of giving into the lives of others refusing to be selfish and stingy. God is looking for the opportunity to make a greater impact in our world, but He desires to work through people who practice divine goodness by the power of the Holy Ghost. Each submissive believer represents an opportunity to do good right now. The needs are all around us! If you are like me, there are needs in your family and home that you can address in the name of our Lord. There is a hand you can hold, a Bible story you can read at bedtime, a tear you can wipe away, a hand you can give, a prayer ministry you can execute, and a sounding board you can provide. You can be an ear to listen, someone to pray with, and a shoulder to cry on. You can provide these incredible gifts by the grace of God at work in you. You do not need the wealth of a Bill Gates to do good in people’s lives, but you do need the power of God’s Spirit. Look to Him regularly for guidance, strength, power, and all spiritual resources. Understand that you cannot do it all, but you can make a difference in someone’s life. God will supply the grace and wisdom we need as we are careful to maintain good works that glorify Him and help our fellow man. Beloved, it is right to do good for goodness sake!