WHAT IS PURITY? (Part 2)

This question is a big deal. So many people have tried to define the word Purity in so many ways. Some have summed up the entire definition in one word, “virginity”. Some have defined it in terms of morality. Others have defined the word in terms of modesty, for instance if you dress in a certain way, you are considered to be pure. These definitions, however, have not been able to capture in its entirety, the concept of Purity. 

In the Old Testament, the Mosaic Laws provided for several rites which the Jews were meant to observe before they would be considered pure. No unclean thing/person was allowed to remain in the camp until they were cleansed. The entire book of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy is filled with some of these laws. Some of the situations that could render one unclear according to the Mosaic Laws include: touching blood, touching unclean animals, menstruation, childbirth, skin diseases, bodily discharge etc. After becoming unclean, it was the tradition and belief of the Jews that in order to become cleansed or purified, tthey had to wash themselves as specified in the Laws. 

The first thing we must understand about the Law is that God had chosen the Israelites as His own people, and He separated them out of His benevolence for Himself. He wanted them to be different from the other nations and hence he gave them these laws. Second, the Law was given to show man’s frailty. It showed how man could never be made righteous by obeying some sets of rules. The following scriptures reveals this:

“Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people.” (Galatians 3:19 NLT.)

“For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character].” (Romans 3:20 AMPC)

“So that the Law served [to us Jews] as our trainer [our guardian, our guide to Christ, to lead us] until Christ [came], that we might be justified (declared righteous, put in right standing with God) by and through faith. But now that the faith has come, we are no longer under a trainer (the guardian of our childhood).” (Galatians 3:24-‬25 AMPC)‬

God was intentional about saving mankind. He had given Abraham a promise that through his lineage the whole earth will be blessed. We understand that this blessing was Salvation (Romans 4:16-17). But God needed a system to preserve that lineage until the promise was fulfilled. He gave us the law to serve as a trainer and guide and pointer to Christ. Jesus in his own words said that He had not come to abolish the law but rather to fulfil it (Matthew 5:17). Paul explained what this meant in Romans 10:4 AMPC when he said, For Christ is the end of the Law [the limit at which it ceases to be, for the Law leads up to Him Who is the fulfillment of its types, and in Him the purpose which it was designed to accomplish is fulfilled. That is, the purpose of the Law is fulfilled in Him] as the means of righteousness (right relationship to God) for everyone who trusts in and adheres to and relies on Him. Jesus Christ came to show us the heart of the Father behind every letter of the law. He came to reveal the real intent of the law. Now that the requirements of this law has been met, we are no longer bound by the old Mosaic Laws because Christ died and is risen and He has given us a new commandment. In John 13:34 NKJV, Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

In the next episode, we will look at the concept of Purity as taught by Christ in the New Testament.