Heart Purity

“Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

So, how pure? How pure in heart do you have to be to be blessed so that you get to see God? Only a western mind would ask such a question. The question is actually irrelevant.

Let’s see if we can unpack this.

First, think about “heart.” The physical heart is nowhere in Jesus’ mind here. The heart described in the Bible refers to what is at the center of a human life. It is the center of thought, emotion, and personality, the place in us where the “person” we are resides. It is the core of our being. And most importantly, it is the place where the human will is found. In fact, the word “heart” can sometimes even be translated as “will.”

To be pure is to be free from pollutants. Salt is pure if it has no sand or dirt or other “non-salt” pieces in it.

So, “pure in heart” essentially means to be “pure in will,” to have a will, in other words, that is wholly focused on God and His will. It is to be pure in your motivations for serving God and simply doing so according to His will.

Someone whose clear life focus is, by faith, to do the will of God is spiritually prosperous, and that one is going to see God.

Father, May our hearts be wholly devoted to You and Your will this and each day. Amen.