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Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. – Matthew 5:8
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Hebrews 12:14
Believers in the Messiah Jesus can be assured that while we are not saved by the degree of spiritual growth we are able to achieve in this life, Matthew 5:8 indicates that our spiritual progress in this life may determine our status in the heavenly realm. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” Are the purest in heart granted a position that is the closest to God in His realm?
God says that He is a rewarder to those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). And He tells us that our reward is Him (Genesis 15:1). It should be the goal of every believer to receive the greatest reward which is more of God. Our desire should be to bask in His presence and behold Him in all of His glory. The pure in heart are promised this position of intimacy with the Highest. I can envision God’s throne encircled with children and those who are like them, celebrating their God in guileless perfection.
We are deemed righteous and given the privilege to enter heaven solely through repentance and faith in Jesus’ atonement and resurrection from the dead. Yet, we are consistently exhorted by the Apostles to “purify ourselves.”
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.- II Corinthians 7:1
But as He which has called you is holy, so you be holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, You be holy; for I am holy. – I Peter 1:15,16 from Leviticus 11:44-45
This all leads us to one question: How do we purify ourselves?
We have to begin by determining within ourselves to be aware of any thought or attitude that emerges from us that is in opposition to godliness. We can develop a habit through discipline to immediately reject these ungodly things from remaining in us to influence our behavior.
We need to be in continual communion with the Lord,- Pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17). We also need to immerse ourselves in His word. When we read something corrective, humbly receive that correction.
One of the things I do is to read the lists in Galatians 5:22,23, and the characteristics of love in I Corinthians 13:4-7, and ask the Lord to increase the ones I have and give me the ones I don’t have.
It is the work of Jesus’ Holy Spirit to change us, “Without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5); but God needs a cooperative vessel in which to work.
If we want to be among the pure hearted ones who desire to be as close to the Lord as possible, He will give us the desire of our hearts.
LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble: You will prepare their heart,
You will cause Your ear to hear: - Psalm 10:17
You have given him his heart's desire, and have not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.
Psalm 21:2
Copyright 2024 by H. D. Shively
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