Pureness of Heart

 

Pureness of Heart               

      Pureness does not mean sinless. As long as we carry about this sinful flesh, sin will always be with us. Pureness addresses our spirit (heart) and not our flesh. (See – Flesh vs. Spirit pg.39) Our flesh reflects what is in our heart. The Spirit of God (the Holy Ghost) regenerates, enlightens, and dwells in our spirit, which was initially dead toward God and was dark. With God’s Spirit in our spirit, we must allow the Spirit of God to brighten our dark spirit to the degree that our once dark spirit is illuminated with the Spirit of God and is reflective of the goodness, pureness, and mercy of God. This takes time.   The more we yield to the light of the Spirit the more that light will shine. We yield to that light by obeying the scriptures, with the intent of seeing God’s face, which in itself will purify us (See – The Cross our Submission pg. 89). As it is written, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 3:8). Having a pure heart is the evidence that the Spirit of God has washed your heart (your spirit) from the darkness of the world: the negativity, the pessimism, the fear of the unknown, the evil thoughts, etc. Remember, the time it takes to develop a pure heart depends on our desire to walk with God, for it is written, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Mathew 5:8). Having a pure heart may seem to many people that “you are naïve” or “just dumb” but in reality you are not looking for the bad, the wrong, or the evil in things or situations. You are not thinking on how to beat or cheat someone because you can, for it is written, “... for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light” (Luke 16:8).

A pure heart towards God allows us to sincerely rejoice at another’s blessing, with no envying, jealousy, or covetness. We are happy for them for their good fortune (saved or unsaved) even if it is at your expense (like a promotion!). (For “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28.) This is part of the renewing of your mind. (See – Renewing of your Mind pg. 57)

Christ said in Mathew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father, and no man knoweth the Son but the Father, neither knoweth any the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.”(Mathew 11:27) To be one of those “whomsoevers” you must have a pure heart for “Blessed is the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Mathew 5:8).