According to the apostle John, followers of Christ engage in a process of purification. Speaking about the return of Jesus in 1 John 3:3, he writes: “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”

But what does purification entail?

Think of something which is purified with fire. A biblical example is from Psalm 12:6: “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” The fire and heat burn off whatever is impure, resulting in something stronger and better. Just as silver is refined in a furnace, so are God’s words perfectly pure.

The followers of Christ go through a similar process.

In part, this happens when we carry a cross and live sacrificially for the benefit of others. With God’s help we are, in a sense, burning off selfishness, apathy and faithlessness.

It can also happen when we go through hardship, stress and pain. In the 1600’s Brother Lawrence wrote: “God often permits that we should suffer a little to purify our souls and oblige us to continue with Him.” In other words, suffering can have a specific function in our lives since it can draw us closer to God. In those moments the illusion of our own independence and strength is shattered into a million pieces on the ground. We drop to our knees and acknowledge our dependence on God. Those too can be purifying experiences.

In and through all of this we need to remember the end goal—to become more like Christ. We purify ourselves because Jesus is pure. When he appears, we want to be more him on that day than we are today.

Whatever you’re experiencing, even if it’s difficult, use it to burn off whatever is not from God, draw closer to him, recommit to his kingdom, and to become more like Christ. 

“And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.”

Notes:

-*Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God (Grand Rapids: Spire,1967), 55.

-The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week and returns on October 6, 2025.

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.