Jesus’s first big sermon remains timeless as it demonstrates the standard of righteousness God demands of His people (those who have repented and trusted Christ as their Savior). Jesus began his sermon with the beatitudes which was in contrast to what the Pharisees were teaching. The Pharisees were primarily concerned with external qualities, but the qualities that Jesus taught were internal. And that which is internal can only come when one properly relates to God though faith that is established when one places his complete trust in Christ and thus empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Blessed are those who are pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8
To no surprise -- God is concerned about the way you think, simply because the way you think determines the way you behave. Paul tell us to “think about that which is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent and praiseworthy” (Philippians 4:8). Some claim to be religious, but if their behavior isn’t right, then their heart isn’t fixed on God! You can go to church/mass weekly, carry a bible, recite verses, cross your heart before every meal, participate in lent and even give money to the poor, but if your heart isn’t clean, you haven’t met God’s standard. The fact is legalism can’t produce a pure heart.
God’s absolute holy character is the standard by which He measures …and it’s only through Christ that you will ever measure up! Christ took our sin upon Himself, paid its penalty, then bestowed His own righteousness upon us …standard met! The word “pure” in Matthew 5:8 means to cleanse. In the moral sense it speaks of being free from all filth of sin. It also refers to something that is unmixed or unadulterated. Spiritual integrity and sincere motives are appropriate applications of its meaning to the Christian life. When Jesus was talking about a pure heart, He was talking about sanctified thinking. While we often relate heart to the emotions, the Bible relates it primarily to the intellect – e.g. “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders” (Matthew 15:19). Which is precisely why one must “watch over their heart with all diligence” (Proverbs 4:23). On the other hand, heart also relates to the will and emotions because they are influenced by the intellect. If you are committed to something, it will affect your WILL, which in turn will affect your emotions.
Know this – it’s impossible to purify your own heart, a purified heart is the sole work of the Holy Spirit. Proverbs 20:9 asks this question: “Who can say: I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?” – NO ONE …can’t be done! The basis for anyone’s purified heart is Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, and the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior. I John 1:7 says: “If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” The Psalmist said we keep our way pure by keeping it according to God’s Word, which we must treasure in our hearts (Psalm 119:9,11). As we pray and submit to the Word, the Spirit purifies our lives. There’s great joy in knowing you are pure before God and that your life is honoring to Him.
Follow David’s lead when he asked the Lord: “Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Pray that your thoughts and actions will be strong evidence of a pure heart. Ask the Lord for continued grace to live a pure life so others will see Christ in you. Thank God for accomplishing salvation on your behalf and for granting you saving faith!
An Integrity Hockey Stop~n~Think -- 5.20.2022
