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

Let us continue our study of the “the attitudes that ought to be” as we look at what it means to live out of a heart of purity.

William Barclay explains that the word “pure” (Greek- kathoros) had several meanings that will help us to understand this verse: “originally it simply meant clean as washed clothes are clean from being soiled. It also could be used to understand an army that has been purged of all discontented, cowardly, unwilling and inefficient solders, and which is a force composed solely of first class fighting men. Lastly, it can be used to describe milk or wine which is unadulterated with water, or of metal which has in it no tinge of alloy.” So the basic meaning of purity describes a person that is unmixed, undivided, and unadulterated in motives, allegiance, and desires.

The Pharisees of Jesus day were very familiar with the “being clean” aspect of purity and were o.k. with Jesus’ idea of “blessed are the pure” as long as the outward interpretation was all that was implied. The Pharisees scored an A+ on being outwardly pure but they flunked the course when it came to Jesus’ true meaning of the verse. This is what He said to them, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside cup of the dish, but inside you are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you too outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Mt 23:25-28)

From this verse it is easy to see that God is far more interested in what we are on the inside than what we do on the outside. Can you imagine being told to that you are full of dead men’s bones? On a side note, often people think Jesus was just some nice prophet walking around the Judean countryside passing out flowers and whispering sweet nothings into people’s ears, but often His words were piercing and right to the point as it was in this specific case.

Now back to the issue. God told Samuel in reference to him anointing the next future king of Israel, David, “do not judge the outward appearance. The Lord doesn’t make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7) It was because of David’s singleness and purity of heart that God considered him worthy of being anointed King and leading His people. God saw what David was on the inside!

Naturally speaking our hearts are not like David’s and are in pretty bad shape. Jeremiah describes our hearts as “continuously deceitful and desperately wicked.” (Jer 17:9) Jesus gives this assessment of our hearts, “out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and slanders. These are the things which defile a man.” (Mat 15:19-20)

Is there any hope against the natural darkness of our hearts and our tendencies to cover it up with a clean outward façade? Is purity a possability?

We often read of beautiful actresses that want to be identified by those who cast roles for movies as more than just a sex figure. They want to be noted for their acting ability but often get type-cast because of roles they have played in the earlier years of their careers. Fortunately God does not cast people for heaven like this. The part that we must play is purity and it isn’t something we can act, it is something we have to be. The Director/Producer (God) can pierce through our acting abilities and discover who we are on the inside and it will be up to Him whether or not we qualify for the role and rewarded with the part. He has seen many actors with great outward abilities, who on the outside seem “successful” but they were deemed disqualified because they were trying to play a part that no man can play by himself. The Director/Producer cast Himself as an Actor in this wonderful role called life. And it is only through mimicking his lifestyle and accepting him as the great Type-Cast that we can play the role and rewarded, “we shall see God.”

If we desire this role, we must agree with David and say to the Lord, “create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

In order to continue playing this role, we must fellowship with others who are playing the role. The apostle Paul says, to have pure heart, fellowship and be accountable to those who have one, “Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Tim 2:22)

God challenges us to live pure lives and the result of this purity will be a deep, meaningful experience with God the Father, the Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We will see God! We will see Him at work in the world, through His word, through our circumstances, through relationships, and ultimately face to face. (1 Jn 3:2) Amen.

To test whether you are reading these devotions all of the way through :) and to challenge you, I would like to receive your comments concerning these two statements: What we are will determine what we see! What we see will be only be what we are looking for!

Ch P