In this article we delve into the sixth beatitude recorded in Matthew 5:8, “Go blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” Join me as we explore the heart and its significance in the life of a believer, as we determine what makes one to have a pure heart that leads to being blessed.
1. What Is A Pure Heart?
Possessing a pure heart means being free from any desires that conflict to God’s word. Our convictions and desires are deeply rooted in our hearts. Since all of humanity are inherently born with a sinful nature (Romans 7:18), this means our hearts are filled with desires, beliefs, and ideas that do not align with God’s word.
The LORD said in Jeremiah 17:9, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked.” These are the words of our Creator describing the heart of humanity – wicked and deceitful! Therefore, a pure heart can be described as one that is void of wickedness and deceit.
2. How To Have A Pure Heart?
The previous beatitude expressed that blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7). God, by his mercy has the ability to make us righteous, holy and pure through His Son Jesus. To have a pure heart cannot be willfully done, it takes the Spirit of God and His mercy to be made pure (Titus 3:5-6).
The human heart, often filled with wickedness and deceit, needs spiritual cleansing. This involves a purification process that removes the old, resulting in a heart that is pure and holy.
In Psalm 51:10, David pleaded, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” David was essentially requesting that God purify his heart from all sin and instill His Holy Spirit within him, so that he may live in accordance with, act upon, and obey God’s word.
3. Why We Need To Have A Pure Heart?
By His very nature, God is holy and righteous, which means His dwelling place must also reflect that holiness. For us to become a holy temple that houses the presence of God, it is essential to cultivate a pure heart.
This is accomplished primarily through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was crucified, died, and rose again, allowing us to be made pure and holy through His blood. Additionally, God’s Spirit is bestowed upon us to reside within us now that we have been spiritually cleansed.
We then begin engaging with the word of God by reading the Scriptures, where the Holy Spirit illuminates our spiritual insight. This process transforms our hearts, leading to significant changes in our character and actions that reflect God’s nature. Our sinful desires then give way to spiritual desires that seek to honor and please God (Philippians 2:13).
Dear reader, understand that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all, so to fellowship with Him, we must become light, and this happens by the blood that cleanses and purifies us from all sin (John 1:7).
4. How Will We See God?
God cannot dwell within us or work through us when sin resides in our hearts. This is why He first cleanses us; then, through the power of the Holy Spirit, He reveals His nature, glory, and more. It is essential to recognize that sin obstructs our ability to see and experience the true power and glory of God.
In Luke 24:15, Jesus suddenly appeared to two of his disciples who were discussing everything that had happened regarding him. Without knowing it was Jesus whom they were talking to, they began discussing with him everything that had happened concerning him, and Jesus explained the word to them. Luke 24:31 records that, “Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared.”
Thereafter, they said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). Their hearts burned as an indication that through the Scriptures, Jesus was transforming their hearts, burning their sinful desires and wickedness so that they could finally realize that it was Jesus whom they were speaking to.
We see God through his word the Scriptures. The word of God sheds light on the truth about His nature and glory. As we navigate through life, we are able to recognize the different moments where God has been at work in our lives, allowing us to offer Him our praise for all He has done.
5. How Are We Blessed By Having A Pure Heart
In short, the blessing of having a pure heart is that we are able to see God. We are able to attribute all the great things and wondrous acts in our lives to God. Those who are living in sin are blinded by it, and unable to recognize the His glory nor experience the power of God.
Ultimately, we expect that we will one day see God, literally, and His glory will fill up the entire earth as He dwells among us in the new heaven and new earth(Revelations 21:3).
The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith (1 Timothy 1:5).
The highlighted Scripture reveal that Paul’s letters to the church were intended for believers to be filled with love, and we know that God is love (1 John 4:8). Therefore, the purity of our hearts allows the love of God to fill and overflow within us.
6. Final Remarks
Dear reader, let us thank God for His Son, Jesus Christ, who offered his life as a sacrifice so that his blood may wash us of all our sins. We also thank God for pouring out His holy Spirit that give us the divine essence to embody His nature. Finally, we thank God for His Word that changes our lives so deeply that we are transformed continually so that we may be a true reflection of Jesus Christ – whom, through his purity embodied the totality of Divinity.
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