Lesson 14 – CODE OF CONDUCT – Purity

 

 

I.  KNIGHTHOOD REVIEW

 

A.  Vision for manhood – a man is someone who takes action (rejects passivity), accepts responsibility, leads courageously, and expects a greater reward – God’s reward

 

B.  Code of Conduct – how we act when nobody’s looking

 

C.  Lives for a higher cause – God’s glory

 

II. CODE OF CONDUCT – Purity: consistently living according to the truth

                A. Purity defined              

                    1. Purity is the opposite of being unclean

                    2. Purity is the being free from guilt

                    3. Purity is being free from the bondage and consequences of contamination and immorality

                B. Why is purity important?   

                    1. God desires us to be pure (consecrated) or set apart (holy or sanctified) before we engage in worship. (Lev. 11:44)

                    2. Why? Because we must be purified to be in fellowship with a holy and perfect God. (1 John 3:3)

               C. How do we become pure?

                    1. In our natural state we are sinners, we are impure before God

                    2. We can never clean ourselves well enough to be acceptable to God

                    3. We require a washing of all our sins (past, present and future) to enter into relationship with God

                    4. Jesus provides this washing when we believe, trust and treasure him and his work of at the cross

               D. How do we stay pure?

                   1. Continue to trust in the completed work of Christ and confess our sins (James 5:16)

                   2. Be transformed by the renewing of our minds by the Word of God the Bible (Psalm 119:9, Psalm 51:10, Romans 12:2)

                   3. Seek the power of the Holy Spirit for victory over worldly desires and a love for God and his ways. (Acts 1:8)

 

III. APPLICATION

              A. Purity flows to us from Christ’s righteousness when we believe, trust and treasure him

              B. We must consciously choose to submit ourselves to God in order to be transformed

               C. Avoid that which may hinder you

 

SCRIPTURE VERSES TO REMEMBER AND APPLY:

 

I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Lev. 11:44

 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2