Intentional teaching
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” As a little girl, Matthew 5:8 was one of the first memory verses I was taught. I can’t explain the reason for the choice of this verse. Perhaps my mother felt it would help tame my mischievous spirit. She was very intentional when it came to her children. Little did I realize that my mother’s guidance would lead to a fuller vision of God and His Kingdom.
Jesus was also intentional in His teachings. The Beatitudes, both in unity and individually, radically flew in the face of how the world defined happiness, satisfaction, and success: poor in spirit, mourners, meek, merciful, hungry and thirsty.
Jesus’ purposefulness is seen in His presentation of each of the beatitudes, especially with the placement of this sixth beatitude, “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Today’s beatitude is no exception to this teaching pattern. It redefines purity and the resulting blessedness of “seeing God.”
Jesus knows what’s needed.
Jesus has to this point shared with His Disciples key behaviors of those who enjoy the “happiness and satisfaction” of living by kingdom rules.
In reading this beatitude today, one might comment on its simplicity in meaning and presentation. However, in the context of the 1st century, Jesus’ statement was revolutionary. Jesus presented it to a nation literally obsessed with purification laws and procedures (Leviticus 11-15).
Imagine the shock of hearing Jesus. “No one, not even Moses, has ever seen Jehovah God!” “Purity of heart and nothing else?” This alone was sufficient reason for the scribes and the Pharisees (who benefited from the current religious system) to desire Jesus’ death.
The heart’s role in purity.
The heart is key in sustaining a faithful walk with God. Its condition (pure or unpure) affects our thoughts, behaviors, and actions. In the Old Testament, the Lord described the heart, the seat of man’s affection, as “deceitful above all things and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). David understood the importance of purity of heart as he pleaded with God to create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him (Psalms 51:10).
Who are the “pure in heart”?
- Those who mourn the impurity of their hearts to the extent that they do what is needed to cleanse and purify it (Matthew 4:17; 1 John 1:9). When standing in the presence of Holy God, we understand our personal depravity and the need for forgiveness (Romans 3:23).
- Those who accept God’s lordship in their lives. They place Jesus as the center of their life. The pure in heart “see” God spiritually. They operate in His presence, under His authority, and to His honor and glory (Coram Deo).
“Seeing God” in this beatitude allows us to recognize and acknowledge God’s sovereign acts of mercy and grace in this fallen world we live in (Matthew 5:45). We are able to see “His Hand” both physically (Acts 17:28) and spiritually (Romans 6:6-9).
Our 21st century challenge
Seeing God is a challenge for people living in the 21st century. Nonbelievers are blinded by Satan who keeps them from seeing the possibilities that Christ offers (John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4). Beatitude living is at enmity with a world that neither recognizes nor accepts the authority of God, the lordship of Christ, or the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Unfortunately, we believers aren’t always the best witnesses for Beatitude living. Satan convinces many of us that purity of the heart is impossible. Again, a trick by Satan to frustrate and discourage our efforts to live holy. We fail to understand that it is the work of the Holy Spirit who will always lead us to purity. God is not seeking perfection but progress: a sincere effort to grow and love others.
As children of God, we have everything we need to live pure and holy lives (2 Peter 1:3; 1 John 3:2-3). Our pursuit of purity can become “second nature”. How? By spending more time with God: reading His Word, meditating, and prayer. The more we do this, the more we will see God.
“Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature]
are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character],
for they will see God.” (Amplified)