Matthew 5:8 AMP
[8] “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.
Psalms 24:3-4 AMP
[3] Who may ascend onto the mountain of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? [4] He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to what is false, Nor has sworn [oaths] deceitfully.
Another class of people who are blessed by God is listed in the verse above. If you take a quick look at the version of the bible in which the last 5 devotions have been presented, you will find different interpretations of the word 'blessed'. This tells me that there is no limit to what God can do in and with a life that has been totally surrendered to Him. When you speak about God's blessings, the best gift I can give in order to receive from Him is my life in totality, nothing held back. How can God take hold of and control a life that has parts of it under competing management? How can I demand all of God, when I am also refusing to give him all of me? The verse above defines being blessed as those who
anticipate God’s presence, and are spiritually mature. This leads me to audit my life in the light of the above, and check if I am on the journey to the fulfilment of God’s purpose for my life.
As long as there is life, I have hope. As long as I breathe, I can make changes. However, the great challenge with this position is that I do not know when the owner of my life will come for it, or demand an account of the life He has given me. This is where the message in the verse above is both timely and critical: I have to know what the demand of God for my life is, and take all necessary steps to ensure compliance. One of such demands is the need for a pure heart. You really cannot walk with or work for God without it. How do you deal with a God of absolute purity, without even the slightest attempt to walk in purity with this God? How can a man please a Holy God, without walking in holiness? God has made very clear what His standards are, and He will not lower them for anyone. He does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill.
So that we will know the standard expected of us, a definition of purity is stated as 'freedom from adulteration or contamination'. Reflect on this: purity leaves no room for alternative measures, or a mix of many options. It is not a choice between competing interests; it is either all of God or nothing at all. He is a jealous God, and He will not share His glory with anyone. That is both a warning and an admonition for me to watch my life closely. The end result of a pure heart also makes the sacrifice worth it. When I see God at the end of my earthly life, it will make all the experiences worthwhile. Everyone with an earnest expectation of seeing God keeps his heart pure and focused; God has made it clear that without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. Now that we know what is expected, there are no excuses. God wants to get me home with Him, but I must be willing to go on the journey with Him, on His terms. Would you? God's time of favour is here.
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