Christian Purity

by Christopher S. Esty on December 4, 2008

“To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.” (Titus 1:15-16 NKJV)
The Greek word for pure is, ‘katharos’. It essentially means, ‘clean’ or ‘clear’. When something is ‘clean’ or ‘clear’, it is not only free from spot and blemish; it could also be transparent.
I like the idea of transparency as it suggests that nothing is hidden from the eyes. Of course, what this means is that if a person desires to be pure in the biblical sense of the word, then not only will their character be without spot and blemish as a result of Christ’s righteousness covering their nakedness; they will also be diligent to demonstrate what it means to uphold the highest standards for moral living.
You see, they will have nothing to hide from anyone because they won’t allow anything that defiles to infiltrate their conscience. Thus they will have no reason to be ashamed of who they are in relation to Jesus Christ, because they will be one with Him in truth and spirit. Hence they will honor His holy name by seeking to be pure and undefiled.
Does such a life describe what your relationship with Jesus Christ is like? If not, what is keeping you from experiencing this, and what will you do about it?
“And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.”(1 John 2:28-29 NKJV)