A Pure Heart

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." - Jesus (Matthew 5: 8)

In today's world, purity is something that is almost scoffed at. (unless you are talking about food and beverage) The idea of purity is that nothing is present that isn't supposed to be. Pure gold is just the element gold. Pure water is just two Hydrogen atoms and one Oxygen atom, nothing else. Pure means unmixed with any other matter. So when we discuss purity of heart, the idea is that only the right things, the things that God intended to be present are found in our lives. Let's dig in a bit and see if we can find what Jesus is speaking into our lives in this "simple" little beatitude.

First things first... if those that are pure in heart will see God, the implication is that the impure in heart will not see Him. That said, it becomes very important for us to understand this purity. The goal of every religious pursuit, from Jew to Christian, from Buddhist to Muslim, from Hindu to Baha'i, is to see God. Everyone involved in religion hopes to see God. Jesus gives us a foundational statement to build upon if we hope to one day see Him. He says that purity of heart is essential. Sure the Bible teaches other things on the subject of essentials, but something about purity is at the root of it all.

It is important for us to understand that Jesus is speaking of the core of man, who we are inside when he speaks of the heart. This is spiritual lingo here. He is saying that God will grant happiness to those whose inner person is pure and also that just such a person will see his Maker. The "heart" is the key to the whole person. What we say, what we think, how we act and react flow from our hearts. The Proverb writer puts it this way... Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.(4:23) Jesus says this about the heart... For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. (Matthew 15:19) Everything about a person, whether good or bad originates in their heart. Nothing ever accidentally slipped out, it started in the heart of the person and found it's way to the surface.

So, how do we get there from here... pure of heart from impure of heart. It must be understood that this is an inside-out operation. Jesus blasted the religious elite of his day when he examined their rituals and found them to be outward actions that didn't flow from pure hearts...“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (Matthew 23: 25-28) He didn't cut them any slack for their evil hearts; in His eyes they were hypocrites. Inside they were one way and outside they were another.

What Jesus wants is a conversion of the heart. It was one way, now it is another. But how does this happen?  Paul tells us in Romans 12:2...Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. The transformation of the heart comes about by the renewing of the mind. Ok, great. But how does that happen. First, the decision must be made to follow Jesus. When a person comes to understand their lostness, their separation from God, they will respond to the good news of what Jesus did for them and make the decision to follow Him. Once that decision is made, we are immersed into Christ in baptism and our past sins are removed. (Acts 2: 37-4, Acts 22:16) Then our direction in life is changed... we now follow Him!

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. (Col 3: 1-8)

You want to see God? A heart transplant is required and He does the surgery. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses (Col 2: 11-13). Pure at heart... this requires us to make a decision to follow and trust Him to produce the result. He is able if we are willing! ...and you will see Him!

Wise or Foolish?