To The Pure in Heart, All Things Are Pure

"The proof of spiritual maturity is not how pure you are but awareness of your impurity. That very awareness opens the door to grace." - Philip Yancey

There's a lot of heated discussion going on about the "pureness" of things in our environment such as our food, water, and air. This concern is justified by examining the definition of the root word "pure." It means: free from anything of a different, inferior, or contaminating kind.

The Word of God also places great importance on the word "pure," and for good reason. In the moral or righteous sense, the word "pure" means "free from the addition of any falsehood, or being genuine and sincere." (1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:22; 2 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 3:9; Acts 18:6)

This even takes on greater significance when we realize this in order to see God. Naturally, we can't see Him as we can see each other with our physical eyes, but we can see him with our "spiritual" eyes. In order to do this, one needs to have a "pure" heart (Matthew 5:8).

Universally, we think of the heart as the central organ of our physical bodies. In modern usage the heart is the seat of thought as well as of feeling. Heart signifies the entire personality, the inner man. Thus, it is so much more than merely a vital organ that keeps us alive.

In the Bible, the heart is the symbol of the spiritual life; the soul; the center or source of our thoughts, desires, appetites, and motives. This is where our being "pure in heart" comes into play. When we are so, we are in essence pure or clean in the realm of the inner life; and sincere in our innermost purpose and motive.

Those of us who are "pure in heart" truly love God. We have been reborn; we have God's glory as our main focus (Psalm 24:3-4; Psalm 51:10; Psalm 73:1). Bear in mind, however, that "pure in heart" is not used here to indicate a morally perfect person because no one is. What it does indicate is that someone "pure in heart" is renewed and sincerely desires to do God's will (Acts 15:9; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 1:9).

Those who are "pure in heart" then, are redeemed people who with a singularity of mind are submitted to God. They place everything on the altar, without reservation, without restless and confused thoughts, actions, or behaviors. Their purpose in life is to glorify God! (Acts 2:38)

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22; Hebrews 10:22; Titus 1:15; Proverbs 4:23; James 4:8 

Prayer: Dear Lord, create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

May God bless you always!

Brandi