As Christians, we are called to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who taught us to be humble, meek, and pure in heart. In John 13:8, Jesus emphasized the necessity of moral purity, saying, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”
In order to fully participate in the body of Christ, we must strive for moral purity and a heart that is free from any impurities.
In this article, we will explore the importance of moral purity, why human nature is defiled, how we can purify our hearts, and the consequences of failing to do so.
I. Human Nature is Defiled
The Bible teaches us that human nature is defiled as a result of original transgression. Adam’s sin corrupted the fountain of human nature, and all of his descendants inherited this corruption.
The psalmist David acknowledged this truth when he said, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psa. 51:5).
The prophet Jeremiah also affirmed this doctrine when he wrote, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer. 17:9).
This defilement is strikingly manifested in the conduct of people around us. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23), and we are all prone to follow our own ways and desires (Isa. 53:6).
The Apostle Paul describes this state of spiritual defilement in Ephesians 2:1-3, where he says that we were “dead in trespasses and sins,” “following the course of this world,” and “following the prince of the power of the air.”
II. Human Nature May Be Purified
Despite our fallen state, God has provided a way for us to be cleansed from our sins and restored to His image and favor. The blood of Jesus Christ is the remedy for our spiritual defilement.
As the prophet Zechariah wrote, “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness” (Zech. 13:1). This fountain is none other than the blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).
The Word of God, which is truth, is the instrumental means by which we come to understand our defilement and the remedy for it.
As Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
The Apostle James also acknowledges the power of the Word in bringing about spiritual regeneration, saying, “Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth” (James. 1:18).
Faith is the means by which we come into contact with the remedy for our defilement.
As we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are justified by His grace and our hearts are purified (Acts 15:9; Rom. 9:30; Eph. 2:8).
The Holy Spirit is the one who makes this whole process efficient to our salvation. As the prophet Ezekiel wrote, “And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them” (Eze. 36:27).
III. Without This Purification, We Can Have No Part with Christ
The necessity of purification cannot be overstated when it comes to our relationship with Christ. Scripture teaches that “without holiness, no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Our sin separates us from God and hinders our ability to have a true and meaningful relationship with Him.
Only through the purification that comes from Christ’s sacrifice on the cross can we be reconciled to God and have the hope of eternal life.
In John 3:3, Jesus told Nicodemus that “no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” This rebirth is made possible through faith in Christ and the cleansing of our sins by His blood.
Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our own works, so that no one can boast. It is only through the grace of God that we can be purified and made holy.
IV. The Importance of Pursuing Holiness
While we are saved by grace through faith, this does not mean that we can live however we want once we have accepted Christ as our Savior. Rather, we are called to pursue holiness and to live lives that are pleasing to God.
As Paul writes in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”
Holiness is not something that we can achieve on our own, but it is something that we are called to pursue. As we seek to live holy lives, we can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to guide us and to transform us from the inside out. We must also be intentional about removing sin from our lives and seeking accountability and support from other believers.
Living a holy life requires a constant commitment to grow in our faith and to deepen our relationship with God. It is a journey that requires perseverance and patience, as we navigate the challenges and temptations of the world.
But with God’s help, we can overcome anything that stands in the way of our pursuit of holiness.
V. Conclusion
In conclusion, the purification of our hearts and minds is essential to our relationship with Christ. Without this purification, we cannot have a true and meaningful relationship with God.
We must recognize our need for purification and turn to Christ, who alone can cleanse us from our sins and reconcile us to God. The process of purification can be challenging and requires a willingness to confront our flaws and weaknesses.
We must be willing to acknowledge our mistakes and seek forgiveness from both God and those we have wronged. This requires a deep sense of humility and a willingness to put aside our pride and ego.
As we pursue holiness, we can rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and the support of other believers to help us live lives that are pleasing to God.
