“JUST LET YOUR HEART BE PURE SO THAT YOU CAN EXPERIENCE GOD’S PRESENCE”
Read Matthew 5:8
(Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God”
We know from Scripture that no man can look at God in all His glory and live. 1 Timothy 6:16. And yet Jesus promised that we will see God.
Let us consider what this promise means and look at the requirement for seeing God - to be pure in heart.
God is looking at the heart
Man is very concerned with his outward appearance and actions. But God is more concerned with our inner appearance; our heart condition and motivation. Luke 16:15.
God's Word says that He is actually weighing and testing our hearts. Proverbs 21:2.
Our heart condition will either enhance or hinder our effectiveness for God. Proverbs '' 4:23 . For this reason the Bible challenges us to guard our hearts.
As a young boy David did not have any outward appearance of his ability 10 lead Israel. But God looked at the inner man and saw a heart dedicated to Him, which is a far greater qualification for service in God's eyes, than any outward abilities.
The heart God looks for
Read 2 Chronicles 16:9
The heart God is looking for is a heart that is completely dedicated to Him. That is the purity of heart that Jesus is talking about in Matthew 5:8.
Jesus said that the greatest commandment was, "love the Lord your God with all your heart..." Mark 12:28-31; Deuteronomy 6:5.
Everything else that God wants to do in us and through us, will come from this undivided devotion to God. That is one of the reasons that this is the greatest commandment.
None of the heart attitudes that are considered in Matthew 5 can be produced by our own efforts. They are only found in Christ and are developed as we set our hearts on Him. John 15:4,5.
God's people can be distracted
Read 2 Kings 17:41
We read over and over again in the Old Testament the sad story of God's people worshipping idols.
It is hard to imagine how God's people could be so deceived. 1 Kings 11:4. What an abomination that they could be worshipping idols at the same tune as they were worshipping God.
In the New Testament we see how God's people can be deceived and commit idolatry without actually bowing down to physical idols.
Read Colossians 3:5.
God's Word says that greed for the things of the world is idolatry in His sight because it takes our hearts away from total devotion to Him. Ephesians 5:5. God says that we cannot serve Him and the things of the world at the same time. Matthew 6:19-24.
God knows our natural needs and said that we must be diligent in working. 2 Thessalonians 3:12. But if our hearts become too caught up in the pursuit of things, we get distracted from our devotion to God.
For this reason God challenges us to seek Him first and He promises to meet all of our needs as well. Matthew 6:33. He must be the only one who captivates our hearts. If we-allow any other pursuit lo become the major motivation of our hearts we are slipping into idolatry.
The testimony of a heart restored
Read Psalm 73.
. Verse 1. The writer of this psalm saw the goodness of God to those who are pure in heart. Verse 2,3. But his heart was distracted by the prosperity of others. Verses 4-14. And so he was deceived into thinking that it might be better not to serve God.
Verses 15,16. With divided devotion his heart became completely confused.
Verse 17. In desperation he turned again to God in worship. Verses 17-24. And so his eyes were opened to see the deception he had fallen into.
Verses 25,26. Complete devodon to God was restored and God became the desire of his heart again. Verses 27,28. And so he enjoyed the goodness of God once more.
They will see God
Read Jeremiah 29:13,14a
God promises to reveal Himself to those who seek Him with their whole heart.
This does not mean that God comes and stands before us in person. But God reveals Himself to us for who He is and begins to open His truths to our hearts.
One small revelation of God is worth far more than all the riches this world can offer. Proverbs 3:13-15. We really are deceived when we run after the things of this world rather than run after God.
Like the person in Psalm 73, we can see God's goodness in our lives, when our hearts are completely devoted to Him. And one day we shall see the object of our devotion face to face and enjoy His goodness forever. Revelation 22:4.
Let us ask God to work in us a pure heart totally devoted to Him for us to live a successful life.
May God bless you
Yours in His service
Rev. Gilbert Biyengo
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