The desire of the ages has been to see God. Moses desired this. Even in his intimate encounter with the Lord on Mt. Sinai, he was not satisfied. “That I might see your face,” was his one desire. Even Thomas, after spending three years with Jesus, said, “Lord, show us the Father, and it will be enough for us.” In the beatitudes, Jesus points us to the fulfillment of that desire: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
It is significant that this privilege is reserved only for one group of people: the pure in heart. Notice that He did not say that “the intellectual” will see God. The focus of God is always on the heart, not the head. There are many who have great intellectual abilities, but the privilege of “seeing God” is not reserved for them but for the pure in heart.
Notice again that it is not the sinless who will see God. All of those who are counted closest to God struggled with the problem of sin. Moses, David, Abraham–all sinned, yet they were counted as friends of God.
Further, it is not the reformed that will see God. Man places his focus on external piety; God focuses on internal reality. Many amend their ways so that they might have a relationship with God, but God declares that all their “righteousness I like filthy rags.” He is concerned with the heart. If the heart is not right, nothing else matters to Him. Indeed, the Pharisees could be considered “pure” from the standpoint of external matters. Their whole goal was to be pure in every area of life. The problem was that they neglected the heart. The pure in heart shall see God.
Signs of a Pure Heart
1. A pure heart is one that has been cleansed from the guilt of sin.
In Acts 15:9, Peter reminds the other apostles that God has made no distinction between Jew and Gentile, “purifying their hearts by faith.” No one can have a pure heart apart from the saving grace of Jesus. No matter what a person may do to appear pure outwardly, in God’s sight, he remains “impure” in all his thoughts and deeds until his heart has been purified by the blood of Jesus. The starting point for having a pure heart is being saved by faith in Jesus.
2. A pure heart is directed by pure principles.
While the heart is the source of our spiritual problems, the mind directs the heart. If the mind is controlled by impure principles, the heart will likewise be impure. In 2 Timothy 3:8, Paul suggests that the root of the rebellion of Jannes and Jambres against Moses was their corrupt minds. To be pure in heart, we must stir to be pure in our minds. What we place in our minds ultimately affects our hearts.
3. A pure heart is willing to be tested and tried.
Those who have a pure heart are so desirous of purity in their hearts that their constant cry is for God to thoroughly examine them. The Psalmist cried out: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me.” Those who are pure in heart want their impurity to be revealed so that they might deal with even hidden sin.
4. A pure heart abhors sin, not merely forsakes it.
“Through your precepts, I get understanding; I hate every false way,” declared the Psalmist (Psalm 119:104). Many forsake sin for wrong reasons. Some forsake it because of morality–they do not want their sin to become public. Other forsake it because of policy–some things are a matter of principle to them: they do not drink or smoke, not because of a pure heart, but they have decided that certain things will not be part of their lives. Still others forsake sins because of necessity–the opportunity no longer exists for that sin. But the pure in heart forsake sin because they hate what it does to them and their relationship with God.
The pure in heart not only forsake sin, Paul notes that they even “avoid the appearance of evil (1 Thess. 5:22).” Why? Because they know that the “appearance” often leads to the “occasion.” What begins as a little compromise often leads to greater compromise. The pure in heart are so concerned about their hearts that they avoid even what might lead to sin in the future.
5. A pure heart is focused on knowing and pleasing God.
In Psalm 27, David expresses this heart attitude: “When You said, ‘seek my face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face will I seek.’” The pure in heart strives to have an undivided heart. Gold in the ancient world was considered pure if it was not mixed with impurities. The undivided heart is a pure heart; not a perfect one, but one that is focused on knowing and loving the Lord. Paul spoke of this as his desire: “that I might know Him, the power of His resurrection.” In 2 Timothy 2:4, he reminded Timothy of the need for an undivided heart: “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself in the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” The pure in heart is not perfect, but he strives to keep the focus of his heart on the Lord.
6. A pure heart is one that desires to be made ever more pure.
As David cried out: “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” so the pure in heart is constantly aware of his need to be made more pure. From a distance, the blemishes on a face are often hidden. But as one draws nearer, those imperfections appear more clearly. The same is true regarding the pure in heart. As they draw nearer to God, they see more clearly their imperfections, especially those of the heart. Those distant from the Lord may be content that no outward sin is evident, but those who are pure in heart see their inward sin and cry out to be made pure. The pure in heart are never satisfied with their holiness, for they know they true need of their heart is to be made ever more pure.
Steps to a Pure Heart
First, recognize the impurity of your heart. Only those who see their need will seek to be made more pure. Second, mourn regularly over your sinfulness. A heart that is not broken over personal sin is not a pure heart. James calls upon believers to: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep!” The pure in heart mourn over their sinful condition. Finally, having a pure heart requires having a single-mind. Notice what James calls those without pure hearts: double-minded. To be double-minded is to think one way and to act another. It is to agree with doctrine but to live contrary to it. The pure in heart are not perfect or sinless; but they strive to have a single-mind that lives according to its beliefs.
“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”
Copyright Jim Ehrhard, 1999. You are permitted to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that: (1) you credit the author; (2) any modifications are clearly marked; (3) you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction; and (4) you do not make more than 100 copies without permission. If you would like to post this material to your web site or make any use other than as defined above, please contact Teaching Resources International
Teaching Resources International 