The Pure in Heart

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

Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. There is a vast difference between outward purity and inward purity. Over the years, I have seen many who appeared outwardly righteous and pious before men, yet inwardly were full of impurity. They carry a large Bible and look down their noses in condemnation at those who sin differently than they do.

My friends, you and I are not the standard for righteousness. There is only one standard for righteousness—the perfection found only in Christ. If we compare our religiosity to the perfection of Christ, we all fall short. Perhaps you don’t fall as short as some, and maybe you imagine you have a higher seat in the boat, but the truth is this: the whole boat is sinking, and everyone is on board. Why, then, should we think highly of ourselves and condemn others?

The heart of man, as it is naturally born into this world, is unclean. Neither can man make it clean by his own efforts. The only way a person can have a pure heart is through the cleansing work of Christ. Our hearts must be “sprinkled” by His blood, washed from dead works, sin, and self-righteousness.

The pure in heart serve the Lord with sincerity and genuine motives. They do not labor to earn heaven by their religious efforts, nor do they serve to be seen or praised by men, or to gain worldly advantage. Rather, they serve out of love, gratitude, and thanksgiving for their Savior. Let us be honest with ourselves—none of us are perfect in this endeavor. But our Lord is perfect, and His people are justified from all sin by His righteousness.

“For they shall see God.” God now dwells with His people in a temple not made with hands, with Christ as the Cornerstone and His people as living stones, being built up as a spiritual house. We are called to be a holy priesthood and a royal nation, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. And when we breathe our last and this body of dust returns to the earth, we will be given a body fit for the eternal realm—and so we shall forever be with the Lord.

Psalm 24:3–5 reminds us:
“Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

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Soli Deo Gloria!

Greg Flannery is a Bible Teacher at Redeemer Church of Piketon, Ohio.