Untitled Sermon (126)

WHATEVER IS PURE: hosa hagna:

1Ti 4:12; 5:2; Titus 2:14; Jas 1:27; 3:17; 2 Pe 3:1 Philippians 4 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries Listen to excellent sermon Battle for the Christian Mind by Dr Steven Lawson

CONTINUALLY CONTEMPLATE CLEAN WORDS, CLEAN DEEDS

Pure (53) (hagnos) is that which is free from defilement, stainless, that which will not contaminated, that which is "morally and inwardly" pure. Hagnos is that which is holy, morally clean, and undefiled.  Jesus is hagnos (1 Jn 3:3-note) and beleivers are to purify themselves just as He is pure, especially in view of the truth that we have the hope (certainty) that one day we will be like Him! (1 Jn 3:2-note)

Hagnos refers to ceremonial purity, and to moral purity. It especially means keeping our bodies undefiled by abstaining from sexual sins (see 2 Cor 11:2; 1 Ti 5:22; Titus 2:5-note; James 3:17. The saints then, as now, were constantly attacked by temptations to sexual impurity ( Eph 4:17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 see notes Eph 4:17-19; 20-22; 23-24). Paul gives a strong warning to every saint…

do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named (present imperative commanding this to be their habitual practice = to not to even pronounce the name! Or to stop a practice already in existence.) among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. (Ep 5:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10-See notes Ep 5:3, 4; 5-6; 7-8; 9-10)

Hagnos - 8x in NT translated as  chaste(1), free from sin(1), innocent(1), pure(5). - 2 Co. 7:11; 11:2; Phil. 4:8; 1 Tim. 5:22; Tit. 2:5; Jas. 3:17; 1 Pet. 3:2; 1 Jn. 3:3.

Barclay adds that when hagnos was "used ceremonially, it describes that which has been so cleansed that it is fit to be brought into the presence of God and used in his service. This world is full of things which are sordid and shabby and soiled and smutty. Many a man gets his mind into such a state that it soils everything of which it thinks. The Christian’s mind is set on the things which are pure; his thoughts are so clean that they can stand even the scrutiny of God." (ibid)

So we need to test what think about through the "grid" of hagnos and ask ourselves these simple questions - Will it defile or is it intrinsically pure? Will it corrupt our thinking if we give attention to it? Will it stand the scrutiny of God? Will it make me more like Jesus Who is perfect hagnos?