Purity Is Full Commitment To God

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What does it mean to have a pure heart (Matthew 5:8)? It is singleness of heart to serve Him instead of serving our own will. It is sincerity and inner moral purity. This inner purity means that we turn from what God says would hinder us, pursue what God says would help us, and seek out associations with others who have pure hearts as defined by what God says is right (2 Timothy 2:22). The pure in heart do what is right from right motives (love), and for the right purpose (God’s glory). Hence, we have a clear conscience toward God and others (Acts 24:16).

Apart from God’s intervention, no one can have a pure heart (1 Ki 8:46). We have a pure heart because we are also poor in spirit and, thus, forgiven. In addition, we mourn for our sin that we may be cleansed. As meek individuals who hunger for righteousness, we have received His mercy and grant it to others. Our prayer is “Create in me a pure heart” (Psalm 51:10). God partially answers our prayers in this life and fully in the next one.

The result is that we see God. Since only those like God can truly understand and appreciate God (Titus 1:15; 1 Corinthians 2:14), the Lord grants us progressively purer hearts that we might enjoy and glorify Him forever. What greater joy is available?

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