by Phil Lapp

1 John 3: 2-3
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (3) “And every man that hath this hope in himself purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

2 Cor. 6:18 “ And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” ( 7:1 ) “ Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ;

The Holy Ghost is giving a clear instruction to each of God’s children to purify ourselves. The question therefore comes to us; “How do I purify myself and from what do I purify myself?

I believe Satan is constantly seeking to distract us from the fine point of truth that will set us free from sin. So when he sees a man or woman begin to seek after God and desire to purify themselves from Sin, he will immediately try to distract this person by causing them to focus on purifying themselves from the outward symptoms of sin, rather than purifying themselves of the real inward sin.

However, the Holy Spirit is faithful, and does guide us into all truth. Truth that will set us free from all sin in our life. So the believer who is honest with God and himself, will hear the truth and obey the voice of Jesus. This is how we are truly purified even as he ( Jesus ) is pure.

He was pure because he heard his Father speak, and obeyed carefully every day. Read John 5:19, 30.

Too many Christians live their own life each day with not much thought as to what their Father’s will is for them to be that day. Notice I didn’t say do. Our Father wants us to be His Sons & daughters who desire to be like Him more than anything else.

This is the hope we are living for….To be like Him! Pure as He is pure…

“How is Christ pure from this world? “

First of all in His thoughts…. “ My thoughts are not your thoughts, saith the Lord Isaiah 55:8

We must repent from our thoughts if we are ever to purify ourselves as He is pure. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

We think…therefore we are. We speak and act on our thoughts, eventually. Jesus said, “As a man thinketh so is he.

Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

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