Kingdom Living 6: The Pure in Heart

Psalm 24.3-6 “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not appealed to what is false, and who has not sworn deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who inquire of him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah”

Jesus states a blessing— “they will see God,” for those who…

The Blessed are “THE PURE IN HEART” [Matthew 5.8a]

Matthew 5.8a “Blessed are the pure in heart…”

PURE: Clean, Clear, Spotless

HEART: Inner self; One’s Thoughts, Will, & Emotions

Matthew A. The Heart of a Kingdom Citizen (5:1–12)

A simple but helpful way of looking at the word is to realize that it implies the absence of impurity or filth. It implies a singleness of purpose, without distraction (akin to the concept of “holiness,” being set apart for a special purpose; see Jas. 4:8). Any distracting or corrupting influence a kingdom servant allows into his or her heart makes that person less effective as a servant. The kingdom servant has a heart that is undivided and unalloyed.

[Author: Stuart Weber]

The “pure in heart” =

Those who live morally upright. This is the inner person…not (merely) external ‘performance.’

Jesus goes on to highlight this fact…

Matthew 5.21-22 ““You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire.”

Matthew 5.27-28 ““You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Hebrews 10.19-20 “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus—he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)—”

Hebrews 10.21-22 “and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.”

Hebrews 10.23-25 “Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”

A Call We MUST pursue…

Hebrews 12.14 “Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord.” [Hold on to that call to pursue peace…for NEXT WEEK!]

A word about HOLINESS… inward that works outward!!!

The Blessed “WILL SEE GOD” [Matthew 5.8b]

Matthew 5.8b “…for they will see God.”

SEE: Behold, Look At, Pay Attention

Matthew A. The Heart of a Kingdom Citizen (5:1–12)

Jesus may have had a dual meaning behind the phrase see God. First, the pure heart is unhindered in its ability to understand the heart and person of God in this life on earth and, in this sense, is better able to see God. Moreover, only the pure (forgiven) heart is able to enter heaven to enjoy the presence of God for eternity.

[Author: Stuart Weber]

They “will see God” = The Beatific Vision

1 Corinthians 13.12 “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, as I am fully known.”

1 John 3.2-3 “Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is. And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure.”

…AND…

Psalm 27.13 “I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.” [Psalm of David; // Exodus 33.19]

CONCL—

I have a friend [on Facebook] who often asks this important question: “Where do I see God today?”

Now…I don’t always agree with her answers, but I appreciate the reminder to ask the question—because I think that we too often fail to see God because we just aren’t looking. We aren’t looking for a promised happy blessing as we focus our lives to be holy (like Jesus wants, expects us to live). ALL OF US…

Acts 15.6-9 “The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.”

Acts 15.10-11 “Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.””

[These verses occur amid the discussion of the Jerusalem Council regarding the salvation of Gentiles and circumcision.]

INVITATION:

Salvation

Hope

Healing

Matthew 5:8 CSB

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

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