Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
The Psalmist said that if we would come into the presence of God, then we must have clean hands and a pure heart (Psalms 24:3-4). Similarly, Jesus said those whose hearts are pure will see God. The concept of a pure heart is equivalent to holiness; and without it, no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Ephesians 1:4; Luke 1:74-75).
Through the redemption in Christ Jesus, we have purified our souls and have been given a new heart and a new spirit, so that we may have a pure heart and walk in holiness (1 Peter 1:22; Ezekiel 36:26; Titus 2:14). The wickedness and deceit that once covered our hearts was cut away when the body of sins was removed by the circumcision of Christ (Colossians 2:11). Now our hearts have been inscribed with the ways and nature of God, so that we may keep His commandments and walk in His ways (2 Corinthians 3:3; Hebrews 8:10-11, 10:16).
Of course, the heart refers to a person’s innermost being. The innermost being of man was the primary focus of the redemptive work of Calvary, and in the innermost being God desires truth; and through His great love, He has begotten us by His Word of truth so we would be a new creation (James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23). The old nature has been destroyed, and the new and glorious nature (that is created in righteousness and true holiness) has been raised up (Romans 6:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Ephesians 4:24). Out of our heart, or innermost being, the Spirit and nature of God flows like rivers of living water (John 4:14, 7:38-39).
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
