Pure in Heart

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

The common person reading this verse would likely say, “That’s not me. I’m not pure in heart.” No one is, all the time. But many do strive for it and have times of success.

For example:

An African friend of mine admitted he had done something wrong against me, that I was unaware of. He righted the wrong, beyond the initial damage, and his understanding of God has grown ever since.
An American teenager on a high school retreat was saving his money for lunch at McDonalds on the way home. At the last session he was so moved by the speaker that he put all his money in the offering bucket and decided to go without lunch. Word got out (not by him) of his act of pure love and many of us saw the presence of God in this young man’s life. Btw, someone bought him lunch.
A Latina woman sees the plight of poor children in her country and decides her life needs to be about them, not her own pursuits. She focuses on their learning needs, and in the process hundreds of families experience hope and the love of Christ.
I struggle with pride and admitting my wrongs. But when I admit my sin and wrongs, I see God better because people often react to me with undeserved grace. God humbles me, and I am better for it.

Pure requires giving up the pleasure of impure. Saying good-bye to selfish motivations, self-reliance, self-made success. Giving up all pride and admitting wrong – even the small stuff. Pure in heart means putting one’s thoughts around “what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable…” (Philippians 4:8b)

Pure in heart means our words are honest, even when they are hard. Saying respectfully what people need to hear, when spoken from a pure heart, brings God into the crystal clear for everyone in the conversation. Those who speak and act from a pure heart not only see God themselves, but all in their sphere of influence will also have the impression of God upon them.

Let’s acknowledge together that pure in heart is a journey that God accompanies us on. When we get it right, whether through confession of sin or clean motives from the start, God is seen again.

Next week we speak of peacemaking, a reputation God wants His family to have.

Til then,