Pure Heart – Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
What will He who searches hearts and minds find as He searches ours?[1]
Will the Lord find a passionate devotion for Him, which flows out of our purity, clear consciences, and sincere faith?[2] Will He find our hands clean and our hearts untainted, so He will send angels to minister to us as we travel along the Highway of Holiness on our ascent up the hill of the Lord where we will stand in His holy place?[3] Will He see our hunger and thirst for righteousness,[4] faith, love, and peace as we pray for His cleansing from anything that would keep us from growing closer to His likeness?[5] Will He know we love Him beyond ourselves and that we choose Him above all else?
I pray it is so. I pray that we, the body of Christ, would not allow the world’s distractions to captivate us and that we would steadfastly resolve to pursue God out of a fervent desire to know and see Him. I pray His Spirit would strengthen us with an unshakable obedience to Him and to His law, an obedience that changes us down to our core, purifying us, and producing in us a holy devotion to Christ and a sincere love for the people He brings into our lives.[6]
As Christians, we have cause to anticipate astounding blessings, for through Christ’s sanctifying work within us, we are changing. He has taken our cold, dead hearts and replaced them with hearts capable of deep love and great kindness.[7] He has made us into new people; our old way of living has passed away, and He has given us new lives.[8] As we sit at the Lord’s feet and learn from Him, He is transforming us, filling us with holiness and bringing forth good treasure out of the depths of our souls.[9] As His righteousness pours over us, He is washing away our defilement with cleansing grace, making us whiter than snow.[10]
Hallelujah! As we make God our heart’s desire, He draws us closer to Himself, and He works miracles within our hearts. He purifies us, preparing us to enter into wondrous, holy places, where we shall behold Him. He extends His hand to us as He says, “Come, walk with Me,[11] and I will reveal to you the glory that awaits my beloved.”[12]
Black beyond darkness, colder than steel
Harder than granite, was my empty soul
Weaker than straw my unsound foundation
Eyes covered over to sin’s deadly toll
Whiter than snow, brighter than morning
My heart turned to flesh, warmed by the Sun
I’m standing upon the unshakable rock
In purity, safety, the victory won
[1] Revelation 2:23
[2] 1 Timothy 1:5
[3] Psalm 24:3-4
[4] Matthew 5:6
[5] 2 Timothy 2:22
[6] 1 Peter 1:22
[7] Ezekiel 36:26
[8] 2 Corinthians 5:17
[9] Luke 6:45
[10] Psalm 51:7, Isaiah 1:18
[11] Micah 6:8
[12] Romans 8:18 (paraphrased)
