Purity of Heart: The Path to Seeing God
Summary
In Matthew 5:8, Jesus declares, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." This profound statement invites us to explore the seemingly impossible promise of purity and divine vision. The notion of seeing God is awe-inspiring, as it suggests an intimate encounter with the Almighty, a privilege that even Moses was denied in its fullness. Yet, Jesus assures us that this is possible for those who are pure in heart.
Purity of heart, however, is not about achieving sinlessness. The Apostle John reminds us that claiming to be without sin is self-deception. Instead, purity of heart is about having an undivided heart, a heart wholly devoted to God. It is about willing one thing, as Søren Kierkegaard suggests, and not being torn between God and the world. This purity is not about perfection but about direction—a focused pursuit of God.
Moreover, purity of heart involves a clean heart, which is made possible through the work of Christ. In Christ, we are justified, meaning God drops all charges against us. We are forgiven, reconciled to God, and our sins are remembered no more. But beyond justification and forgiveness, Christ offers cleansing. This ongoing process of purification is essential for our spiritual health, much like the regular washing of clothes or cars.
Many struggle with the belief that while Jesus can forgive, He cannot cleanse their deeply ingrained habits or thoughts. However, true faith in Christ includes trusting in His power to cleanse and transform. Jesus came not only to forgive but to sanctify, to make us holy. This involves a radical transformation where our desires and inclinations are renewed.
For those burdened by the weight of their past, the first step is to believe that Christ can make their heart clean. This belief is the beginning of faith. If you can accept that Christ has the power to cleanse, then you can take the next step and ask Him to do it. This is the essence of faith—trusting in Christ's ability to purify and redeem.
Key Takeaways:
- Seeing God and Purity of Heart: The promise of seeing God is tied to having a pure heart. This purity is not about being sinless but about having an undivided heart, wholly devoted to God. It is about focusing on one thing—God—and not being torn between Him and the world. [03:58]
- Purity is Not Perfection: Purity of heart does not mean achieving perfection. It is about direction and focus, willing one thing, and pursuing God wholeheartedly. This purity is like gold mixed with dross, where the desire for purity and the loathing of impurity coexist. [12:48]
- Justification, Forgiveness, and Cleansing: In Christ, we are justified, forgiven, and cleansed. Justification is a legal standing where God drops all charges against us. Forgiveness is relational, reconciling us to God. Cleansing is ongoing, purifying our hearts and lives. [24:14]
- Faith in Christ's Cleansing Power: True faith in Christ includes trusting in His power to cleanse and transform us. Many believe in a Jesus who forgives but struggle to believe in a Christ who can cleanse their deeply ingrained habits. Faith involves trusting in His ability to purify. [37:51]
- The Beginning of Faith: For those burdened by their past, the first step is to believe that Christ can make their heart clean. This belief is the beginning of faith. Once you accept that Christ has the power to cleanse, you can take the next step and ask Him to do it. [44:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:18] - Introduction to the Sixth Beatitude
- [01:18] - The Awe of Seeing God
- [02:06] - The Challenge of Purity of Heart
- [03:11] - Moses and the Glory of God
- [04:21] - The Impossibility Made Possible
- [05:47] - Christ's Power to Purify
- [06:35] - Two-Part Focus on Purity
- [07:08] - What Purity of Heart is Not
- [08:24] - Different Aspects of Purity
- [10:37] - Purity in Heaven and on Earth
- [13:20] - The Blessing of an Undivided Heart
- [17:33] - The Call to Purity and Focus
- [22:19] - Justification and Forgiveness
- [30:22] - The Need for Ongoing Cleansing
- [36:25] - Faith in Christ's Cleansing Power
- [41:20] - The Washing of Regeneration
- [44:06] - The Beginning of Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 5:8
- Exodus 33:20
- 1 John 1:9
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus promise to those who are "pure in heart" according to Matthew 5:8? How does this promise relate to the idea of seeing God? [00:18]
2. In the sermon, how is the concept of purity of heart distinguished from sinlessness? What does it mean to have an undivided heart? [13:20]
3. How does the sermon describe the ongoing process of cleansing in a believer's life? What analogy is used to explain this need for continual purification? [31:21]
4. What are the three dimensions of transformation that occur when a believer is in Christ, as mentioned in the sermon? [30:22]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the promise of seeing God in light of Moses' experience in Exodus 33:20? What does this suggest about the nature of our relationship with God? [03:11]
2. What does it mean to have a "single eye" or an undivided heart, as discussed in the sermon? How does this concept relate to the idea of purity of heart? [14:38]
3. The sermon mentions that many believe in a Jesus who forgives but struggle to believe in a Christ who cleanses. What might be the reasons for this struggle, and how does it affect one's faith journey? [37:51]
4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between justification, forgiveness, and cleansing? Why is it important to understand these aspects of salvation? [30:22]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own heart. Are there areas where you feel divided between God and the world? What steps can you take to focus your heart more fully on God? [19:43]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of believing in Christ's power to cleanse. Is there a specific habit or thought pattern you struggle to believe can be changed? How can you begin to trust Christ for transformation in this area? [39:18]
3. Consider the analogy of regular cleansing, like washing clothes or a car. How can you incorporate regular spiritual cleansing into your daily routine? What practices might help you stay spiritually clean? [31:21]
4. The sermon challenges us to believe that Christ can make our hearts clean. What would it look like for you to take the first step of faith in this area? How can you remind yourself of Christ's power to cleanse? [44:06]
5. Think about the idea of having a "single eye" or undivided focus. What distractions in your life might be pulling you away from a wholehearted pursuit of God? How can you minimize these distractions this week? [14:38]
6. The sermon speaks of the blessing of an undivided heart. How can you cultivate a heart that is wholly devoted to God in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to align your heart with God's will? [13:53]
7. Reflect on the concept of justification, forgiveness, and cleansing. How does understanding these aspects of salvation impact your relationship with God and others? How can you live out this understanding in your interactions this week? [30:22]
Devotional
Day 1: The Undivided Heart Sees God
Purity of heart is not about achieving sinlessness but about having an undivided heart, wholly devoted to God. This purity is about focusing on one thing—God—and not being torn between Him and the world. Jesus promises that those who are pure in heart will see God, suggesting an intimate encounter with the Almighty. This is a profound promise, as even Moses was denied the fullness of seeing God. The purity Jesus speaks of is about direction and focus, a heart that wills one thing, as Søren Kierkegaard suggests. It is about pursuing God wholeheartedly, not perfection but a focused pursuit of God. [03:58]
"Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully." (Psalm 24:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: What distractions in your life are pulling your focus away from God, and how can you begin to eliminate them to pursue Him wholeheartedly today?
Day 2: Purity is a Journey, Not a Destination
Purity of heart does not mean achieving perfection. It is about direction and focus, willing one thing, and pursuing God wholeheartedly. This purity is like gold mixed with dross, where the desire for purity and the loathing of impurity coexist. The journey of purity involves recognizing our imperfections and continually striving towards God. It is about the heart's direction rather than its current state. This journey requires humility and a constant return to God, acknowledging our need for His grace and guidance. [12:48]
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from striving for perfection to embracing the journey of purity and growth in your relationship with God?
Day 3: Justification, Forgiveness, and Ongoing Cleansing
In Christ, we are justified, forgiven, and cleansed. Justification is a legal standing where God drops all charges against us. Forgiveness is relational, reconciling us to God. Cleansing is ongoing, purifying our hearts and lives. This ongoing process of purification is essential for our spiritual health, much like the regular washing of clothes or cars. It involves a continual return to Christ, trusting in His power to cleanse and transform us. This cleansing is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of sanctification. [24:14]
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one habit or thought pattern you need to bring before God for His cleansing today, and how can you actively participate in this ongoing process of purification?
Day 4: Trusting in Christ's Power to Transform
True faith in Christ includes trusting in His power to cleanse and transform us. Many believe in a Jesus who forgives but struggle to believe in a Christ who can cleanse their deeply ingrained habits. Faith involves trusting in His ability to purify. Jesus came not only to forgive but to sanctify, to make us holy. This involves a radical transformation where our desires and inclinations are renewed. Trusting in Christ's power to transform is essential for experiencing the fullness of His promise. [37:51]
"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection: What deeply ingrained habit or thought pattern do you struggle to believe Christ can cleanse, and how can you begin to trust in His transformative power today?
Day 5: The Beginning of Faith in Christ's Cleansing
For those burdened by their past, the first step is to believe that Christ can make their heart clean. This belief is the beginning of faith. Once you accept that Christ has the power to cleanse, you can take the next step and ask Him to do it. This is the essence of faith—trusting in Christ's ability to purify and redeem. It involves a willingness to let go of past burdens and embrace the new life Christ offers. This step of faith is crucial for experiencing the transformative power of Christ in our lives. [44:06]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What past burden are you holding onto that you need to release to Christ, and how can you take the first step in faith to ask Him for cleansing and renewal today?
Quotes
Purity of heart, friends, does not mean that you never have a bad thought. That should come as a huge relief to you. You'll say, "Oh, good, that at least we've taken a step in the direction of hope." Why do I say that? Simply for this reason: the Apostle John says of all Christian believers, if we say that we are without sin, we deceive ourselves. [00:07:15]
Purity of heart is not sinlessness of life. That's a very important distinction. We're not talking about some kind of perfection here that is beyond the range of the Christian in this life. In fact, it's important to remember that the Bible speaks about purity in different ways, and it is important for our understanding of the Christian life to be able to distinguish them. [00:08:26]
A pure heart is a heart that is undivided, and second, a pure heart is a heart that is made clean. A heart that is undivided, a heart that is made clean—these are the two things that are our focus today. I want you to think with me then when Jesus says, "Blessed are the pure in heart," I want you to think about the blessing of an undivided heart. [00:13:25]
The opposite of a pure heart is a divided heart. Remember Elijah standing on Mount Carmel, and he says to the people, "Now, how long are you going to carry on limping between two different opinions? Now, if the Lord be God, follow him; if Baal, follow him," and so forth and so on. You see the point of his question. [00:16:06]
Purity of heart says Kierkegaard is to will one thing. That's where you'll find blessing. So it's very interesting, you see, this theme runs right through the Bible. When you go to James chapter 4 and verse 8, you read the Apostle James saying this: "Purify your hearts, you who are double-minded." Now, you see the point. [00:17:33]
When faith unites you in this bond of a wonderful union with Jesus Christ, one gift that becomes yours is what the Bible calls justification, which is a legal term that could be explained simply in this way: that in Christ, God drops all charges against you. That's what justification means at its heart. [00:22:19]
The reason that a Christian enters into heaven is not that he or she is without sin. The reason that a Christian enters into heaven is that Christ does not charge their sins against them. God charges the sin of a believer to the account of Jesus, in whom these sins were judged and punished and atoned for through his sacrifice for our sins on the cross. [00:23:10]
In Christ, God reconciles you to himself. When God justifies, he also forgives, and he reconciles you to himself in Christ Jesus. Now again, this is a spectacular blessing. Think about this in relational terms, not legal terms now. Relational terms: once you were God's enemy, now you are his friend. [00:26:50]
In Christ, God washes your heart, and he washes your life, purifying, cleansing, washing. That's what this sixth beatitude is all about. Now, right now, and you can check this for yourself after the service if you wish, my car is filthy, and probably yours is too, and it needs to be washed. [00:31:00]
Faith in Christ boils down to this: faith in Christ is confidence in his ability not only to justify, not only to forgive, but to cleanse. I trust him for this. I look to him for this. I rest on his promise for this through the power of his shed blood. Now understand this: the Jesus in whom I place my trust when I come into the bond of a living union with him through faith. [00:36:25]
I have met not a few but many over the years who call themselves Christians, say that they are Christians, and they will tell you that they believe in a Jesus who forgives, but they do not believe in a Christ who is able to cleanse, at least when it comes to them. And they say something like this: "Well, Colin, what you have to understand is that I have baggage." [00:37:51]
The beginning of faith lies right here for you to say today, "This would be a step if I was in Christ and if he was in me. I believe that he could make this heart clean." If you feel you cannot yet trust Christ to cleanse you, I invite you at least to take this step today: believe that he could make your heart clean. [00:44:06]
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