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Greek word for purity

Katharos- Greek word forpurity is used in many ways.

It is used of clean clothes incontrast to soiled ones, pure

water in contrast withadulterated water, of silverand gold which have no alloy inthem, of an army which hasbeen cleansed of disloyal

soldiers, of blood which isabsolutely pure.

The word Catharsis(emotional release or purging)

is also derived from Katharos. Produced by Simon Siew 2/12

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Jews understanding of purity was onethat was external only

The Jews weremeticulous aboutexternal purity. Theywere obsessed with

external purity that theyfailed to realize the needof internal purity.

On the day of Atonementfor example, the HighPriest would have washedhis whole body in cleanwater 5 times and hishands and feet 10 times.

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External purity prized over internalpurity

The Jews taught that solong as a man observed theoutward rituals correctly,he was pure in spite of histhoughts of arrogance, hateand other unclean thoughts.

A man might be an arrogant

sinner and adulterer but ifhe was a descendant ofAaron, he was a priest.

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Jesus teaching on purity

Matthew 15:19- Jesusstressed the purity ofheart.

For out of your heart,

come evil thoughts,murder, adultery, sexualimmorality, theft, falsetestimony, slander

Jesus is saying thatBlessed are those whosethoughts and motives areabsolutely unmixed andpure.

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The most demanding of the Beatitude

This is truly the most

demanding of all theBeatitudes.

It necessitates the strictestand the most honest self-examination.

Even an action which looksgenerous and sacrificial may

have in it some ulteriormotive, some residue of self-display and pride which weare scarcely aware of.

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You see things based on what you know.

The man who knowsnothing about botanywill see by the waysidea tangle of weedswhich are insignificant

to him. The botanist however

delights in seeing fromthis tangle a rare

weed. His knowledgeof botany enables himto see something thatothers do not see.

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Similarly those who do nothave the knowledge of God,do not get to see God.

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Seeing God - our greatest reward

The greatest privilege that

a servant could have was tobe able to stand in thepresence of the king,constantly to see his face

and to hear his wisdom.

1 Kings 10:18- QueenSheba made this remarkabout Solomons servants,Happy are your servantswho stand continuallybefore you and hear yourwisdom.Produced by Simon Siew

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Purity enables us to see God

The man whose heart has

been cleansed in Jesus,whose motives, thoughtsand desires are absolutelyunmixed will be given the

privilege to see God. But to see God is not

literally to see God withthe physical eyes as that is

not possible. No man had seen God at

any time John 1:18.

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So what does seeing God mean? It means to enter into

the fullness of knowledgeof God, without having togrope in the darkness.

1 Corinthians 13:12- Now

we see but a poorreflection as in a mirror;then we shall see face toface. Now I know in part;then I shall know fully,even as I am fully known.

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It means to enter into the intimate fellowship of His love.Loves highest joy is to be in the presence of the lovedone.