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(Photo by Jefferson Argueta on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)

Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.

In Lesson 81, we are going to study the third and final part of 1 John 3:3.

Let’s read this part of the verse.

1 John 3:3 …just as He is pure.

Let’s go over the definitions of the words.

Just as (2531. kathos) — Means “in the same manner as,” or “according to.” It establishes a pattern or standard, not merely a loose comparison. The believer’s purity is measured against Christ’s purity.

He (1565. ekeinos) — Means Jesus Christ specifically.

Is (1510. eimi) pure (53. hagnos) — Means Christ’s present and ongoing state of being. Pure means chaste, clean, innocent, and free from moral defilement. It carries the idea of inward purity that is unmixed with sin.

In other words, Christ is presently and perfectly pure, morally undefiled, completely free from sin, and eternally holy. His purity is not temporary or partial, it is His very nature.

In the previous lessons, we learned that believers who hope in Christ’s return will be like Him when He is revealed.

Because of that hope, they seek to purify themselves now. They pursue purity according to the same standard as Christ, who is perfectly pure and free from sin.

Christ is our example and pattern of purity.

Jesus Christ has always been pure and will always be pure.

He does not need to purify Himself because there is nothing in Him that needs cleansing.

Believers, however, must continually pursue purity, not through self effort, but by abiding in Him and relying on God’s work in their lives.

Do not compare yourself to other people. Compare your life to Christ, for He alone is the true standard.

Therefore pursue holiness. Holiness means being set apart to God and increasingly conformed to His character, especially His moral purity.

As you fix your gaze on Jesus, the Spirit transforms you so that your life increasingly reflects His purity.

The hope of seeing Him face to face and being transformed into His likeness becomes the motivation for pursuing purity now.

Let us examine several passages of Scripture that affirm the purity of Christ.

In Hebrews 4:15, we learn that Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. He experienced real temptation but never yielded to it, remaining perfectly aligned with the will of God. Because of this, He is the perfect High Priest and mediator between God and humanity. When you are tempted, look to Jesus and follow His example. Let Him be your model of purity.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.

In 2 Corinthians 5:21, we read that because Christ knew no sin, He was able to bear sin on our behalf. He did not become sinful, but took upon Himself the guilt and judgment our sin deserved. This shows Jesus’ absolute moral purity. Because of His sinlessness and sacrificial work, we are made the righteousness of God in Him.