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THE BLESSEDNESS AND BENEFITS FOR THE PURE IN HEART

Matthew 5:8

 

Christ started the Sermon on the Mount by declaring blessings on His followers. He blessed the poor in spirit (those who know they have nothing to pay for their salvation) and those who mourn, not only for themselves but also for the sakes of those who are dead in trespasses and sins. The Lord assures that they shall be comforted. Christ also blessed those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Such do not seek position or recognition without righteousness. He pledges that they shall be filled. Our Lord blessed the meek who approach Him without pride and arrogance. They have His nature and will receive rest for their souls. Christ also pronounced blessedness on “the pure in heart”, whose hearts are washed and cleansed by His blood. He says “they shall see God”. And because every coin has two sides, there are religious people who are impure in heart. They may occupy top positions, have a calling and serve the Lord in various capacities in the church but they have impure hearts. Despite all the zeal and commitment they manifest, they will face eternal punishment and shall not see God.

 

1. THE PROVISION AND THE PROOF OF PURITY OF HEART

Matthew 5:8

 

The Lord has made provision for the purity of heart of anyone who would ask for it. When we partake of that provision, people will see the proof and the product of the work of grace in our hearts.

 

(i). Personal Salvation with Peace in the Heart

Ephesians 2:14,15; Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:7,9

 

There must be salvation and peace before purity of heart or sanctification. This is because the sinner does not have peace in himself, with his neighbours, family, in the workplace and with God, who “is our peace”. But as we turn away from sin, self and pride, and come to Christ for salvation, He breaks down “the middle wall of partition between us” and our spouses, neighbours and others because peace will be present, “the enmity” being taken away. The salvation we receive also justifies and makes us “have peace with God”.

 

(ii). Proven Sanctification and Purity of Heart

Matthew 5:8; Hebrews 10:14,16,22; 1 Timothy 1:5

 

Any sanctification that cannot be proven is counterfeit. A heart that is truly sanctified is without H – hypocrisy or hatred; E – envy; A – anger and animosity; R – retaliation or revenge; as well as T – tempestuous temper. Those who are sanctified have the “laws [of God written in] their hearts” and possess the nature of love that opposes fulfilment of the evil intentions of the flesh with “a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned”.

 

(iii). Persevering Spirit and Purpose of Heart

Psalm 17:3; Daniel 1:8

 

Those who lack a clear purpose of heart will be easily shaken by life circumstances. Persecutions will make them to backslide by resorting to compromise. But those who are saved and sanctified, and prioritise maintaining their purity of heart in order to get to heaven, have purpose of heart. Their spirit will persevere in a good way such that they will not turn in the way of unrighteousness. More so, it takes purpose of heart, if our “mouth shall not transgress”. The decision and consecration we make today to have a purpose of heart like Daniel will prepare us to be used of God in next chapters of our lives.

 

2. THE PROMISE AND THE POWER FOR PURE HEARTS  

 

Holiness or purity of heart is not obtained solely by personal effort. People with fake holiness describe their purity of heart by what they do or avoid doing. Holiness is rather an experience the Lord promised and gives to the saved. After they are purified in heart, He then empowers them to fulfil their ministry. 

 

(i). The Promise for Pure Hearts

Matthew 5:8; 24:35; Psalms 24:3,4; 89:34

 

Christ promises that only those with pure hearts “shall see God”. These individuals see God when they pray and when they face challenging and threatening conditions. God shows up for them in times of difficulty, whether in life or ministry, when only He can provide a solution. In addition, Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away” but His promise for a pure heart “shall not pass away”. Purity of heart and partaking of the rapture are not promises for a community. Therefore, having the experiences requires personal dedication and expectation. Only the pure in heart “shall ascend into the hill of the LORD”. Nothing else, not even the ability to heal, manifest power, authority or perform miracles, can qualify anyone to stand in His presence on that day, but holiness.

 

(ii). The Prayer for a Pure Heart

Psalm 51:7,10; Ezekiel 36:26,37; James 1:6

 

Prayer is essential to possess a pure heart, which is not given accidentally. Rather, it is an experience we must desire and pray for actively. The psalmist, after examining his heart and recognising his need for purity, prayed, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow”. This should be the prayer of those who genuinely seek a pure heart. We should ask God to remove every stain of sin and the adamic nature of the old man from our hearts. Such prayers must come from a sincere, passionate and desirous heart. As we request the promised cleansing and purging from God, we must not fail to “ask in faith”, trusting that nothing is impossible with Him.

 

(iii). The Power for a Pure Heart

2 Chronicles 16:9; Luke 10:27,19; Acts 1:8

 

There is need for power to accompany a pure heart. After Christ prayed for His disciples’ sanctification, He instructed them to wait in Jerusalem until they received power. This power enabled them to give witness of the gospel of Christ everywhere they went. While peace is for salvation and purity is for sanctification, power is for Holy Ghost baptism. We should not give up one because we have the other. Our goal should not be only to have a pure heart to make it in the rapture; it should also be to receive power to preach the gospel to others persuasively and bring them to the Lord. God wants to show Himself strong and powerful to those whose “heart is perfect toward him”. Such people’s hearts are full of love for God and their neighbours. However, possessing a pure heart while manifesting love without power or sympathy without supernatural authority is not enough. We must seek this power that protects from harm and enables us to witness to others, as we reconcile them to God.

 

3. THE PERFORMANCE OF PROPHECY FOR THE PURE IN HEART 

Matthew 5:8

 

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God”. This is not just a promise, but a prophecy that God is faithful to fulfil in the lives of those who seek Him for it.

 

(i). The Sure Performance for Obedient Pure Hearts 

Genesis 26:2-5,12; Jeremiah 1:12

 

God’s word will surely be performed for those with obedient pure hearts. Isaac’s story illustrates this truth. Despite being in an unfavourable environment where the locals opposed him and stopped his wells, God remained faithful to His covenant. “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him”. Similarly, regardless of whatever has happened in the past, if we stay in the place where God has assigned to us, we will experience prosperity, progress, promotion and blessedness.

 

(ii). The Sure Pronouncement for Obstinate Impure Hearts

Jeremiah 18:7,8

 

Those who choose obstinacy and impurity instead of a pure heart will forfeit God’s blessings. This was the fate of Saul, Solomon and others who neglected His promises due to disobedience. However, God’s mercy offers a second chance to those who turn from their evil ways and return to Him, like the people of Nineveh. His promise is, “I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them”. If sinners repent and return to God genuinely, all prior negative pronouncements on their lives will be revoked and God’s blessings will still be theirs.

 

(iii). The Sure Prophecy from the Only Potentate on High

2 Peter 1:19; Luke 1:45

 

Although the prophecies by prophets of old were fulfilled, we have “a more sure word of prophecy” from the only Potentate on high in the new covenant. This prophecy promises that our lives will be filled with light, not darkness, destruction or demonic devastation. More so, the “day star [will] arise in [our] hearts” to guide us on a path of light and “there shall be a performance” of God’s word in our lives. As our hearts are purified, we will see His presence in all that concerns us, as well as in the lives of those for whom we intercede. Ultimately, we will see God face-to-face on the final day and receive our rewards.

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