The concept of purity in the Bible is deeply intertwined with God's sovereign nature and His divine authority to define what is holy and acceptable. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God's standards of purity are consistently portrayed as absolute, reflecting His perfect holiness and righteousness.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, God's sovereignty in defining purity is evident in the laws given to the Israelites. These laws encompassed various aspects of life, including dietary restrictions, ceremonial cleanliness, and moral conduct. Leviticus 11 outlines dietary laws, where God declares certain animals clean and others unclean, emphasizing His authority to determine what is pure: "You must distinguish between the clean and the unclean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not" (Leviticus 11:47).

The purity laws also extended to ceremonial practices. In Leviticus 16, the Day of Atonement is described, a day when the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place to make atonement for the people. This ritual underscores God's sovereignty in establishing the means by which His people could be purified and reconciled to Him.

Moral and Ethical Purity

God's sovereignty is further demonstrated in His moral and ethical standards. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) serve as a foundational expression of God's expectations for His people's conduct. These commandments reflect God's character and His desire for His people to live in a manner that is pure and holy.

The prophets also emphasized God's standards of purity, often calling the Israelites to repentance and a return to holiness. Isaiah 1:16-17 exhorts, "Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." Here, purity is not only ritualistic but also deeply ethical, reflecting God's concern for justice and righteousness.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate expression of God's purity. His life and teachings reveal the heart of God's law and the true nature of purity. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expands on the concept of purity, teaching that it is not merely external but a matter of the heart: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8).

Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees further illustrate God's sovereignty in defining purity. In Mark 7:14-23, Jesus challenges the Pharisaic emphasis on external rituals, declaring, "Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, but the things that come out of a man, these are what defile him" (Mark 7:15). This teaching underscores the importance of inner purity and God's authority to define true holiness.

Apostolic Teachings

The apostles continue to affirm God's sovereignty in defining purity. Paul, in his letters, frequently addresses issues of moral and spiritual purity. In 1 Thessalonians 4:7 , he writes, "For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness." This call to holiness reflects God's unchanging standard and His desire for His people to live in purity.

Peter also emphasizes the call to purity, urging believers to live holy lives in response to God's holiness: "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy'" (1 Peter 1:15-16). This echoes the Levitical call to holiness and underscores the continuity of God's sovereign standards across both Testaments.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, God's sovereignty in defining purity is evident in His laws, His character, and His redemptive work through Jesus Christ. His standards are not arbitrary but reflect His perfect holiness and His desire for His people to be set apart for His purposes. As believers seek to live in accordance with God's standards, they are called to a life of holiness, reflecting the purity that God Himself defines and desires.