1 John 3:3 (KJV) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. CONTEXT AND OVERVIEW Deliberate sin is a serious thing. When you deliberately sin, you grieve the heart of the Father who loves you and has a wonderful future planned for you (vv. 1-3). You grieve the Savior who died for you and delivered you from the power of Satan (vv. 4-8). Deliberate sin grieves the Holy Spirit who lives in you and gave you new birth (vv. 9-15). You have a new nature and a new Father; therefore, you should live a new life. To John, lack of love is the same as hatred; and hatred is the moral equivalent of murder (Matt. 5:21-26). Deliberate sin also grieves God's people (vv. 16-24) because we cannot minister to them as we should if we are not walking in love and in the light. Strive to have a heart that is right before God and men (Acts 24:16). Ask God to use you to be an encouragement and help to others (James 2). Love is more than a matter of words (v. 18). [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe] INTRODUCTION Does this text mean that the human agent can remove one stain of sin from his soul? No. Then what does it mean to purify himself? It means to look upon the Lord's great moral standard of righteousness, the holy law of God, and see that he is a sinner in the light of that law It is through faith in Jesus Christ that the truth is accepted in the heart, and the human agent is purified and cleansed He has an abiding principle in the soul, that enables him to overcome temptation. "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not." God has power to keep the soul that is in Christ who is under temptation A mere profession of godliness is worthless. It is he that abideth in Christ that is a Christian 7BC950,1 COMMENTARY PEARL The world is full of false religious impulses - disciplines that change behavior without changing the heart, self-inflicted punishments as signs of penance, superficially imposed attitudes that only mask deeper flaws, and many more. At the root of many of these impulses is a desire to be pure. That's a good desire that reflects the truth of our impure condition, but human beings seem to be woefully ignorant of how to fulfill that desire. Most attempts are full of self-effort, and a corrupt self can never make itself pure. That would be like a fire trying to put itself out with fire, or a mud puddle trying to cleanse itself with more mud. It won't happen. When the source is the same as the subject, nothing is going to change. So how can this God-given desire for purity be fulfilled? By looking to the source. John introduces this thought by directing our attention to the Father's love (1 John 3:1), and emphasizes that we will be changed simply by seeing Jesus (3:2). Or as is often said, we become what we behold. We always grow in the direction of our loves, don't we? It's natural. Whatever we love, whatever we gaze at affectionately, whatever we truly long for tends to shape us. Boys don't try to act like their favorite athlete; they just do. Young musicians don't work at emulating their favorite star; they just do. Lovers don't impose painful disciplines in order to draw close to each other; they just do. So if we see divine love and gaze at the One who embodies it, we are filled with reciprocating love and become like Him. [The One Year Heaven On Earth Devotional by Chris Tiegreen] COMMENTARY It is true that there may be an outward correctness of deportment without the renewing power of Christ. The love of influence and the desire for the esteem of others may produce a well-ordered life. Self-respect may lead us to avoid the appearance of evil. A selfish heart may perform generous actions. By what means, then, shall we determine whose side we are on? Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are Christ's, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things. Those who become new creatures in Christ Jesus will bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Galatians 5:22, 23. They will no longer fashion themselves according to the former lusts, but by the faith of the Son of God they will follow in His steps, reflect His character, and purify themselves even as He is pure. The things they once hated they now love, and the things they once loved they hate. The proud and self-assertive become meek and lowly in heart. The vain and supercilious become serious and unobtrusive. The drunken become sober, and the profligate pure. The vain customs and fashions of the world are laid aside. Christians will seek not the "outward adorning," but "the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit." 1 Peter 3: 3, 4. SC58,9 CLOSING THOUGHT Such transformation of character as is seen in the life of John is ever the result of communion with Christ. There may be marked defects in the character of an individual, yet when he becomes a true disciple of Christ, the power of divine grace transforms and sanctifies him. Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, he is changed from glory to glory, until he is like Him whom he adores. AA259 ONE LINER God can be honored by those who profess to believe in Him, only as they are conformed to His image and controlled by His Spirit. AA259 LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY John 17:17 - Holiness from God's Word. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201007-1438.html 1 Corinthians 2:14 - Spiritual Discernment Necessary for Biblical Understanding. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230103-0953.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/