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The purity that is required is the purity of Jesus Christ, which is imputed to us. We NEVER earn it. But....
Heb. 10: 14. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
I am forever perfected by HIS sacrifice, and my obedience to the gospel.
Titus 3: 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6. Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Acts 2:38- repentence, baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus (washing of regeneration) and receiving (and renewing) the Holy Ghost. (Once is good, over and over is better)
-------------------- Acts 2:38-The Seal of Salvation
Is the purity of Jesus merely imputed to us--certainly it is for our justification--or does His life actually become our life--more of an impartation?
The doctrine of purgatory does not faulter on this point for it is clear that we must not only be justified of our past sins but we must be cleansed of sin before we enter heaven. But it has other errors as to when and how the purification occurs making man co-redeemer with Christ through voluntary acts of penance. The American Heritage Dictionary defines purgatory as: "A state in which the souls of those who have died in grace must expiate [make amends or reparation for; atone: expiate one's sins by acts of penance] their sins."
Satan, and hence, false religion, always works from the outside attempting to modify the behavior, improving the old man, without death to self. This will never succeed, for, as Paul writes, "The carnal mind [fleshly man] is enmity against God and is not subject to his law; neither, indeed, can be." It is for this reason that Jesus said "You must be born again." The Christian life is not a betterment of the old man it is the death of the old man and the birth of a new man. We don't put new wine in an old wineskin. Nor do we sew a new patch on an old garment. Neither can we patch up the old man or fill him with new wine.
The Christian experience is not that of an improved life, but a NEW life. That new life is Christ living in us. The old man dies and a new creature is born. Therefore, the creature that existed when we were carnal must pass away before a new creature can be born--symbolized through water baptism. Then, by faith, it becomes Christ living in us. We are crucified with him, yet alive. Yet, the life we are living is not our own but Christ living in us. This is more than imputed life. His life is IN us and we become partakers of that life. We don't just talk about it, we live it.
"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
So the purity required to enter heaven is the purity of Jesus, as you said. We must have his life in us. This is the new covenant, isn't it? "I will write my law in their hearts and in their minds." Surely, if the sinless life of Jesus is ours then our life will be pure like his.
"Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous."
I also believe that God imparts righteousness wherever he imputes it. One is an act the other a lifetime process wherein we more and more die to sin and live for God and others in righteousness and love.
Yes, God loves us just as we are but... he loves us too much to leave us there.
The Corinthians were addressed as saints yet in some matters they were still carnal.
1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
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1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 1 Corinthians 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
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