Purity of Heart

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” [Matthew 5:8]

   Here in the Beatitudes we find Jesus encapsulating the whole of Christianity in the first six words of this verse. These six words are central to our understanding of what it means to be a Christian. Simply put, Christianity is about purity of heart. We spend so much time focusing on outward action that we overlook the necessity for purity of heart. If our actions are right but our hearts are impure, we are guilty of hypocrisy – pretending to be what we aren’t.
   With these words, “Blessed are the pure in heart,” Jesus speaks of the reality of the Christian life. Notice no emphasis upon outward actions but only on purity of heart. The reason is simple. Jesus is more concerned about what we are than what we do because He knows that what we are determines what we do.
   How do we develop purity of heart? God uses a number of instruments to develop purity in our hearts. Take some time to study the following six instruments used by God to produce purity of heart:

1. The work of the Holy Spirit [1 Corinthians 6:11];
2. The Word of God [John 15:3; 17:17];
3. Blood of Christ and confessing of sin[1 John 1:7 – 9];
4. Suffering [Proverbs 17:3; Job 23:10];
5. Participation in the Lord’s Supper [1 Corinthians 11:27 – 30]; and
6. Our blessed hope [1 John 3:1 – 3]

   Purity of heart is essential for the true believer in Jesus Christ.