The Law of Purity

# The Law of Purity

"Keep my statutes. Do not let your livestock breed with a different kind. Do not plant your field with two kinds of seeds. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material." - Leviticus 19:19

According to a dictionary, the adjective "pure" is defined as: Anything that is not contaminated by excess, unnecessary, or unclean substances is pure. For example, you can swim in pure water or wear a necklace made of pure silver. Pure also means "complete" or "absolute," especially when describing happiness. The adjective pure describes something made only from a single substance and not mixed with anything else. In Latin, the word "purus" means "clean or unmixed," which is the root of "purity." In the Christian faith, "purity" or "cleanness" is defined as "without sin" or "holiness." However, the Scripture also tells us that all people have sinned, and no one is sinless. Only Jesus came down to earth as a human and was the only sinless One, the only holy One. Therefore, only Jesus could cleanse sin, dying in place of our sins, as God's Word has revealed: "Now you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin" (1 John 3:5). "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Jesus is holy, so He also wants His people to live in holiness. This has been mentioned many times in Scripture. In the Old Testament, God taught His people to live in holiness when facing false religions around them. God's people must absolutely not mix or blend with pagan practices. The Lord said, "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy'" (Leviticus 19:2). To "be holy," to live in holiness and avoid sin, God's people need to follow His Word: "Keep my statutes. Do not let your livestock breed with a different kind. Do not plant your field with two kinds of seeds. Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material" (Leviticus 19:19). The Lord commands us to "keep His statutes." This commandment reminds us that we must study and remember God's Word, hold it in our hearts, and obey it. We cannot simply hear it and forget, or hear it and only partially remember, doing only part of it! All of God's commandments and laws, we must remember and obey with all our hearts and completely!

The mixing of different livestock, seeds, and fabrics was often considered by ancient pagans as a source of magical power. God wanted the people of Israel to have nothing to do with these pagan customs. Therefore, God wanted to teach the people of Israel to avoid associations with nations that do not fear God, whether in marriage, religion, or social relationships. He gave three things they should not do: First, "Do not let your livestock breed with a different kind"; Second, "Do not plant your field with two kinds of seeds"; Third, "Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material." These three things teach that God's people must not marry or live together with foreign nations. Here, the Lord is speaking of "spiritual marriage." Christians should establish families with those who share the Christian faith, so that their lives can be pleasing to God. In reality, we see that couples who do not share the same faith often encounter many difficulties, because they cannot be united in God's will and cannot serve God properly, because they do not have the same purpose—to fear and obey God. The Apostle Paul reminded us of this in 2 Corinthians 6:14, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do they have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" Those who believe in Jesus Christ cannot "fellowship" or mix their faith with those who do not accept God spiritually. Spouses, the church, and the Christian community must focus on the purpose of God's Kingdom in order to be united in faith and share the Gospel with those who do not yet know God. Otherwise, we will easily be divided, and it will not bring good results for God's house!

Today, the fabrics of our clothes are made by blending many different materials. These customs of making clothes are no longer an issue in our modern age; we no longer worry about mixing different materials or types of fabric. This law is a typical example of an Old Testament law that no longer binds believers in Christ today. However, spiritually speaking, "mixing" with worldly life in our present time requires us to be more careful in our social relationships. We should not blend with or live according to the ways of the world, but must firmly reject relationships that violate God's Word. We must carefully guard our souls from demonic forces and temptation, so that we do not sin against God. God's Word has promised, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8). Let us wholeheartedly obey God's Word with all our strength and spirit! We pray that the Almighty God will help us distinguish what is unclean and avoid it, so that we may be holy and pure before Him. We ask Him to cleanse us, so that we may live to glorify His Name and effectively spread His Gospel, helping those who hear to know God and open their hearts to accept Him as the Redeemer of their lives: "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). Amen!

Holy only is He, without blemish, Jesus Christ, who became human, Died in place of all mankind's sins, For God's love for us, dear friend!

Live according to His Word proclaimed, Avoid all evil things in life, A soul pure and holy, pleasing to God, Spread the Gospel everywhere with might!

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