The Beatitudes - Pt 7

 

[Jesus said] “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8 ESV).

 

There is so much that could be said in regard to this teaching of Jesus. Perhaps beginning with Jesus’ teaching of the shema should be first. In the Hebrew tradition the “shema” was simply stated: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength”. A pure heart is one that is not only clean and undefiled but also single minded. Those who would be “blessed” follow God with a focus only on Him and not on self. The Apostle Paul wrote this:

 

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12–14 ESV).

 

It is essential that we do more than appear pure. God looks inside and knows our true state. The heart refers to our thoughts, our will and our desires – everything we are, intellectually and spiritually. Only God can cleanse our heart. But we can pursue Him, as Paul declares, with a solitary aim. The pure heart is transparent; there are no mixed or hidden agendas, which give it integrity. What you see is what you get.

 

 The promise attached with this truth is that “… they will see God.” The pure in heart are focused on God and so are aware of His presence. They see His work and are mindful of what He is doing around them. Truth is not obscured by sin and self, which can lead to spiritual blindness. The pure in heart, the blessed, see God. God hid Moses from seeing His glory fully, lest he die. Today we see dimly, but we will someday see Him face to face. God makes us pure in heart so we can be with Him.

 

As I reflect on this, I have to ask, what is my mission? Where is my devotion? Do I pursue God alone? Or do I have selfish pursuits mixed in? We should all pray with David, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10).