Matthew 5:8-Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
The admissions committee of a private Christian college was interviewing candidates. The committee asked all the candidates a certain set of questions, and the replies were much the same. “What will you do after you gain admission into this college?” “I will endeavor to gain the best education I can.” “What will you do after you have earned your degree?” “I will secure a good job.” “After that?” “Well, I will earn a good deal of money and have a happy life.” “After that?” “Enjoy my retirement.” “And what’s after that?” No response! Usually this was the end of the conversation.
I am afraid that is mentality of most college students.
But they are not the only ones, there are a lot of people in this world that are living for –good paying job, retirement and living happily ever after!
They have no thought of anything after that.
Philippians 3:19-whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.
What does it mean to be pure in heart?
1-They are longing to see God, their desire is to be close to God, the thing that motivates them in their everyday life is the desire to please God in everything they do!!
2-They see God in everything…They know the changing of the seasons, is because of God, the job they have is, because of God, the house they live in, is because of God, the talents they have, is because of God, the family they have, is because of God, even the bad things that happens to them in life, they see God in the midst of it. They see God taking a mess and turning it into a masterpiece!!
Colossians 1:15-17-He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
You cannot be poor in spirit without having a pure heart.
You cannot mourn over your sins without having a pure heart.
You cannot be meek without having a pure heart.
You cannot hunger and thirst for righteousness, you cannot be merciful, you cannot be a peacemaker or be prepared to stand persecution for the name of Christ without having a pure heart.
The Heart Of The Matter Is The Matter Of The Heart.
3-When they see God, they see themselves for who they are.
They see themselves as sinners, there is nobody in the Bible, that when they have come into the presents of God did not realize what a wretched and sinful person they were!!
Isaiah 6:5-5So I said:
“Woe is me, for I am undone!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King,
The Lord of hosts.”
Luke 5:8-When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
When people began to see God, they automatically began to examine themselves!
They realize their need for a clean life, a pure life!
I can take a white shirt that I have worn many times, and it still looks white, it looks clean, but when I compare it to a brand new white shirt, I would notice how dingy that old white shirt looked!
The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.
One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?"
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water."
The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket, and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean.
"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out. That is the work of God in our lives. To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His Son."
Three Ways To Have And Keep A Pure Heart!
1-Studying God’s Word
Psalm 119:9-How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
Psalm 119:11-Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.
2-Fellowshipping With Other Believers
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10-Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.
3-Working For God
Hebrews 10:24-25-And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
C.S. Lewis said "It is safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to."
