”Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8New International Version (NIV)
Matthew 5:8 Devotional
Blessed are the pure in heart
Matthew 5:8 says: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”. That is the pure in heart are blessed (happy) because they will see God.
Nevertheless, seeing God is what you and I are living for. That is to finally live in God’s presence. And the key to this reality is the state of your heart. For God looks at the heart, not the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7) – you can’t get to heaven on good deeds.
Therefore, when Jesus Christ said that the pure in heart will see God, He showed them the importance of their hearts, even in their following Him. Jesus knew that the issues of their lives were flowing out of their hearts (Matthew 12:34).
Consequently, it was important to Jesus that the disciples’ hearts be pure (clean). And therefore Jesus wanted His disciples to be transformed on the inside (as opposed to the outside).
More so, only a pure heart would enable them to be poor in spirit, meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, make peace and stand against persecution for the name of Christ (Matthew 5:3-11). The Pharisees on the other hand were focused on outward purity (appearance). And that is what made Jesus rebuke them in a very harsh way (Matthew 23:25-28).
How to have a pure heart
Therefore, in order to have a pure heart, you have to first obey God’s word (Psalm 119:9). Then you have to be committed to living a life that is totally pleasing to God.
Remember, God looks at what is in our hearts. That is our motive (1 Chronicles 28:9).
Additionally, you also have to trust in God’s promises. God’s promises make it possible to defeat sin (2 Peter 1:4). They are key weapons in the pursuit of a pure heart (holiness or cleanliness). Meaning that you can therefore wage war, for example, against lust by recalling Matthew 5:8. And you will definitely win.
Finally, you have to fellowship with like-hearted people. That is fellowship with other disciples/believers/Christians (Hebrews 10:24 and Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
Prayer
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
(Psalm 139:23-24).
Blessing
May you become an overcomer by trusting in and using the resources He has availed to you to wage spiritual war. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Jeremiah 26-28 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
