The congregation consists of those that are members of a local church. A local church is made up of a plurality of Christians that have volunteered to work together at a certain location to carry out their God given responsibilities to worship and work to glorify God – cf., John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth (ASV). Each congregation when having reached its maturity will consist of elders and deacons with the membership – cf.,
Philippians 1:1, “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (ASV):
Among those qualities, that the membership of each congregation is to develop is purity of life. Now, this purity includes a number of things that each Christian ought to possesses in their character, please note the following reference:
PURITY (Grk. hagneia, “cleanness”). Freedom from foreign mixture, but more particularly the temper directly opposite to criminal sensualities, or the ascendancy of irregular passions; chastity (2 Cor 6:6; 1 Tim 4:12; 5:2).
(From The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988.)
PURIFICATION, PURIFY, PURIFYING
A. Nouns.
1. katharismos NT:2512 is rendered “a cleansing” (akin to No. 4, above), Mark 1:44; Luke 5:14; in Heb 1:3, RV, “purification.”
2. katharotes NT:2514, “cleansing,” Heb 9:13. See CLEAN, C, No. 2.
3. hagnismos NT:49 denotes “a ceremonial purification,” Acts 21:26, for the circumstances of which with reference to the vow of a Nazirite (RV), see Num 6:9-13.
B. Verbs.
hagnizo NT:48, akin to hagnos, “pure” (see CHASTE), “to purify, cleanse from defilement,” is used of “purifying” (a) ceremonially, John 11:55; Acts 21:24,26 (cf. No. 3 above); 24:18; (b) morally, the heart, James 4:8; the soul, 1 Peter 1:22; oneself, 1 John 3:3.
2. katharizo NT:2511, “to cleanse, make free from admixture,” is translated “to purify” in Acts 15:9, KJV (RV, “cleansing”); Titus 2:14; Heb 9:23, KJV (RV, “cleansed”). See CLEAN, B, No. 1.
(From Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c) 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
PURE and PURITY
As these words apply to the quality of character that Christians ought to possess. We have no problem understanding that they refer to morally, sexually, and spiritually clean. There are a number of passages of Scripture that refer to pure and purity by simply using the term white, as “dressed in white robes” {Rev. 7:9} and “riding on white horses” {Rev. 19:11-14}. White in these passages and others indicates purity.
In these passages in the Book of Revelation, many of them refer to Christ or to heavenly personages. Purity is a quality that every Christian ought to seek so that they can truly claim to be “imitators of the Divine Nature” (i.e., of Christ) – cf., 2 Peter 1:2-4,
Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust. ASV
MORAL PURITY:
One of the areas that many Christians neglect is moral purity. Now, moral purity
refers to the actions that we perform in our interactions with others. In whatever area that we may find ourselves dealing with other people we must display moral purity. If I am involved with another person in any business enterprise, I must always pursue honest, equitable, and fair practices. I must not seek to gain advantage through unchristian tactics. It is never morally right to take unfair advantage of another person in any activity. Fairness itself is an action that all Christians ought to pursue, note the following Biblical references:
Proverbs 1:3, To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness and justice and equity; ASV
Proverbs 2:9, Then shalt thou understand righteousness and justice, And equity, (yea), every good path. ASV
2 Corinthians 6:13, Now for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto (my) children), be ye also enlarged.
Colossians 4:1, Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. ASV
MAINTAINING PURITY BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE:
The Christian that desires to maintain purity of the mind with regard to the opposite sex must be conscious of the teaching of the Bible on the subject and conform thereto. Part of the problem of maintaining purity in this area may be attributed to a failure to control the desires. We know that God teaches the Christian to maintain self-control as a quality of acceptance, please note the following Biblical references:
Acts 24:25, And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me. ASV
Galatians 5:23, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. ASV
2 Peter 1:6, and in (your) knowledge self-control; and in (your) self-control patience; and in (your) patience godliness;
CONSIDER THIS:
The apostle declared that one of the problems that he experienced as he desired to live the pure life was self-control. Paul even left us instructions about how to gain the advantage in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage (K.J.V., under subjection) lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected” {ASV}. We would do well to imitate the apostle’s attitude toward taking care of the body’s desires.
PURITY AS WE INTERACT TOGETHER WITH THE UNSAVED THAT ARE IN THE WORLD:
We must surely understand the importance of showing those in the world that we are pure of speech, actions, and inclinations. To influence the people around us for good we must always maintain purity in their presence as if we were in the presence of the Lord in the congregation. Many passages found in the teaching of the Lord teach this fact, notice Matthew 5:13-16,
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do (men) light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shines unto all that are in the house. Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ASV
CONCLUSION:
It is imperative that those of us that are serving God develop purity in all areas of life.
Ø We must develop purity in the family relationship.
Ø We must develop purity in our relationship to the government.
Ø We must develop purity in our relationship with other Christians in the congregation.
Ø We must develop purity in our business and social relationships in society generally.
Ø We must develop purity as we interact with those people we work with in whatever place we work to provide a living for our family.
IN ALL ACTIVITIES, WE SHOULD LIVE PURE LIFESTYLES.
THERE IS NO TIME FOR THE CHRISTIAN TO LIVE OR ACT IN WAYS THAT ARE NOT UPRIGHT
OUR FUTURE ABODE DEPENDS UPON OUR LIVING A PURE AND WHOLESOME LIFESTYLE WHILE WE ARE HERE IN THE PHYSICAL BODY.
WE MUST CORRECT OUR SINS AND FAILURES SOON AS THEY ARE KNOWN, AND REPENT OF ALL THOSE THINGS THAT WILL HINDER US.