Pursuing Purity of Heart in Christ
Summary
In today's reflection on Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God," we delve into the profound meaning of purity of heart. It's crucial to understand that purity of heart does not equate to a sinless life. As Christians, we are all sinners in recovery, growing and progressing but never reaching perfection in this life. Purity of heart is about having an undivided heart, a heart that wills one thing, much like the Apostle Paul's focus on pressing forward to lay hold of what Christ has for him. It is also about having a clean heart, a heart washed and cleansed by Christ through justification, forgiveness, and personal cleansing.
The pursuit of purity is deeply connected to the first four Beatitudes, which serve as the roots and life of godliness. These Beatitudes—being poor in spirit, mourning our sins, meekness, and hungering for righteousness—are foundational for the fruit of purity. We cannot pursue purity in isolation; it is a cumulative process that builds on the virtues that precede it.
God calls us to be proactive in our pursuit of purity. The Bible consistently uses active language when it comes to sanctification, urging us to cleanse ourselves and purify our hearts. This proactive engagement is crucial for spiritual growth. The difference between those who grow in their faith and those who remain stagnant often lies in their active pursuit of purity through practices like believing, confessing, obeying, worshiping, asking, persevering, and anticipating.
These practices are not optional but essential for progress in the Christian life. Believing in Christ's power to change us, confessing specific sins, immersing ourselves in God's Word, worshiping, praying for purity, persevering through failures, and anticipating our future transformation are all vital steps. By engaging in these practices, we align ourselves with God's work in our lives, allowing His Spirit to transform us into the likeness of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Purity of Heart as an Undivided Heart: Purity of heart means having an undivided heart, focused on one thing—Christ. It is about aligning our will with God's will, much like the Apostle Paul's singular focus on pursuing what Christ has for him. This undivided focus is essential for spiritual growth and seeing God in our lives. [01:00]
- The Role of the Beatitudes: The first four Beatitudes are foundational for pursuing purity. They teach us to recognize our need for God, mourn our sins, submit to Him, and hunger for righteousness. These virtues are the roots from which the fruit of purity grows, emphasizing the interconnectedness of Christian virtues. [04:14]
- Proactive Pursuit of Purity: God calls us to be proactive in our pursuit of purity. The Bible consistently uses active language, urging us to cleanse ourselves and purify our hearts. This proactive engagement is crucial for spiritual growth and distinguishes those who grow in their faith from those who remain stagnant. [07:30]
- The Power of Worship: Worship is a transformative practice that allows us to gaze upon the glory of God. As we behold His glory, we are transformed into His likeness. Worship is not just an activity but a means of transformation, helping us become more like Christ. [26:04]
- Anticipating Future Transformation: Knowing who we are in Christ and anticipating our future transformation has a purifying effect. We are dearly loved children of God, and this identity helps us pursue purity. Anticipating our future likeness to Christ motivates us to live in alignment with that future reality. [38:44]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:19] - Introduction to Purity of Heart
- [01:00] - Understanding an Undivided Heart
- [01:29] - The Gifts of Justification, Forgiveness, and Cleansing
- [03:25] - Pursuing Purity: Observations and Strategies
- [04:14] - The Role of the Beatitudes
- [05:08] - Motivation for Pursuing Purity
- [06:23] - Proactive Pursuit of Purity
- [07:30] - Biblical Language on Purity
- [09:32] - Active Engagement in Sanctification
- [11:08] - The Importance of Our Works in Sanctification
- [12:33] - The Difference in Christian Growth
- [14:16] - Seven Practices for Purity
- [15:05] - Practice 1: Believe
- [18:20] - Practice 2: Confess
- [22:22] - Practice 3: Obey
- [26:04] - Practice 4: Worship
- [35:27] - Practice 5: Ask
- [37:05] - Practice 6: Persevere
- [38:44] - Practice 7: Anticipate
- [40:29] - Conclusion and Encouragement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 5:8
- James 4:8
- 1 John 3:3
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Matthew 5:8 mean when it says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God"? How does the sermon describe the concept of purity of heart? [00:19]
2. According to the sermon, what are the two main aspects of a pure heart? How are these aspects reflected in the life of the Apostle Paul? [01:00]
3. How does the sermon explain the relationship between the first four Beatitudes and the pursuit of purity? [04:14]
4. What proactive steps does the sermon suggest for pursuing purity, and how are these steps supported by biblical language? [07:30]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the idea of having an "undivided heart" in the context of Matthew 5:8? What does it mean to align our will with God's will? [01:00]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Beatitudes are interconnected, and why is it important to understand this connection when pursuing purity? [04:14]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of worship in the transformation of a believer's heart? What is the significance of "beholding the glory of the Lord"? [26:04]
4. What does the sermon say about the importance of anticipating our future transformation in Christ, and how does this anticipation affect our pursuit of purity? [38:44]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own heart. Are there areas where you feel divided in your focus or allegiance? What steps can you take this week to align your heart more closely with God's will? [01:00]
2. Consider the first four Beatitudes. Which of these virtues do you find most challenging to cultivate in your life, and how can you work on developing it further? [04:14]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of proactive engagement in pursuing purity. What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to actively pursue purity? [07:30]
4. Worship is described as a transformative practice. How can you enhance your worship experience to better "behold the glory of the Lord" and allow it to transform you? [26:04]
5. Think about your identity in Christ as a dearly loved child of God. How does this identity influence your daily decisions and actions? What changes can you make to live more in alignment with this identity? [38:44]
6. The sermon encourages believers to persevere even after failures. Can you recall a recent failure in your spiritual journey? How can you use this experience to grow and continue pursuing purity? [37:05]
7. How does the anticipation of future transformation in Christ motivate you to pursue purity now? What practical steps can you take to keep this future hope at the forefront of your mind? [38:44]
Devotional
Day 1: Undivided Heart, Singular Focus
Purity of heart is not about living a sinless life but about having an undivided heart that is focused on Christ. This means aligning our will with God's will, much like the Apostle Paul's singular focus on pursuing what Christ has for him. An undivided heart is essential for spiritual growth and seeing God in our lives. It requires us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else, allowing His presence to guide our thoughts, actions, and decisions. By maintaining this focus, we open ourselves to experiencing God's presence more fully and intimately. [01:00]
Psalm 86:11-12 (ESV): "Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever."
Reflection: What distractions in your life are pulling your focus away from Christ? How can you actively work to realign your heart with God's will today?
Day 2: Beatitudes as the Foundation of Purity
The first four Beatitudes—being poor in spirit, mourning our sins, meekness, and hungering for righteousness—are foundational for pursuing purity. These virtues teach us to recognize our need for God, submit to Him, and desire His righteousness above all else. They serve as the roots from which the fruit of purity grows, emphasizing the interconnectedness of Christian virtues. By cultivating these foundational attitudes, we prepare our hearts to pursue purity and align ourselves with God's transformative work in our lives. [04:14]
James 3:17-18 (ESV): "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
Reflection: Which of the first four Beatitudes do you find most challenging to embody? What steps can you take to cultivate this virtue in your daily life?
Day 3: Proactive Pursuit of Purity
God calls us to be proactive in our pursuit of purity. The Bible consistently uses active language, urging us to cleanse ourselves and purify our hearts. This proactive engagement is crucial for spiritual growth and distinguishes those who grow in their faith from those who remain stagnant. Engaging in practices like believing, confessing, obeying, worshiping, asking, persevering, and anticipating helps us align with God's work in our lives, allowing His Spirit to transform us into the likeness of Christ. [07:30]
2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV): "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."
Reflection: What is one specific practice you can commit to this week to actively pursue purity in your life?
Day 4: Worship as Transformation
Worship is a transformative practice that allows us to gaze upon the glory of God. As we behold His glory, we are transformed into His likeness. Worship is not just an activity but a means of transformation, helping us become more like Christ. By engaging in genuine worship, we open our hearts to God's presence and allow His Spirit to work within us, shaping us into His image. Worship becomes a powerful tool for spiritual growth and transformation when we approach it with sincerity and openness. [26:04]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: How can you make your worship more intentional and transformative this week? What changes can you make to ensure your worship is sincere and open to God's presence?
Day 5: Anticipating Future Transformation
Knowing who we are in Christ and anticipating our future transformation has a purifying effect. We are dearly loved children of God, and this identity helps us pursue purity. Anticipating our future likeness to Christ motivates us to live in alignment with that future reality. By keeping our eyes on the promise of transformation, we are encouraged to live in a way that reflects our identity in Christ and our hope for the future. This anticipation fuels our desire to grow in purity and align our lives with God's will. [38:44]
1 John 3:2-3 (ESV): "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."
Reflection: How does your identity as a child of God influence your daily decisions and actions? What steps can you take to live more fully in alignment with your future transformation in Christ?
Quotes
Purity of heart does not mean sinlessness of life. It's good news because, of course, Christians in this world are sinners in the process of recovery until we are translated into the nearer presence of Jesus. Of course, there is growth, of course, there is progress, but there is never perfection in this life. [00:00:32]
A pure heart is an undivided heart. Purity of heart is to will one thing. A pure heart is a single heart; it is the opposite of a divided heart. It is reflected in the Apostle Paul saying, "It's not that I'm already perfect, but one thing I do, forgetting what is behind, I press forward to lay hold of that for which Jesus Christ has laid hold of me." [00:00:57]
The first four Beatitudes are the roots and the life of godliness, and then out of them come the next three, which we've described as the wonderful fruit. What is it? It's Mercy—blessed are the merciful. Purity—blessed are the pure in heart. And then we're going to go on, God willing, to see peace—blessed are the peacemakers. [00:04:31]
God calls us as Christians to be proactive in the pursuit of Purity. Now, it's very important to get this clear in your mind, and so let me just briefly draw your attention to the language of the Bible in relation to purity of heart. It is consistently proactive in the call that God makes to us as Believers. [00:07:11]
The Bible does speak about purifying ourselves consistently again and again. Cleansing yourself, it says, is something for you to do. So something is different here; something is distinct. It's very important. 1 John chapter 3 and verse 3: "Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself as Jesus Christ is pure." [00:09:14]
The pursuit of Holiness is one in which, from all of these scriptures and many more, the Christian is always called actively to be engaged. So just to quote Bishop Ryle here to summarize this point, he says this: "In justification, our own Works have no place at all, and simple faith in Jesus Christ is the only thing that is needed." [00:10:56]
What makes the difference between this person whose life has changed and there's a brightness and there's a victory and there's a triumph and there's progress, and this person who is simply an older version of what he or she was before? I'm absolutely convinced, my friends, that the practice of the seven things I want to lay before you today is at the heart of the difference. [00:13:49]
The practice of trusting Jesus Christ to change you. Now, we really touched on this at the end of the message last week, and so I simply want to complete the point here today before moving on. Many people who profess to be Christians simply do not believe that Jesus Christ is able to deal with the baggage of their lives. [00:15:06]
The scriptures have a purifying effect on the heart, and you find this in many places in the Bible. I wonder if you've noticed it in Ephesians 5:26, for example, when we're told that Christ loved the church and he gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her. So here's this growth in Purity and cleanse her. [00:22:32]
The practice of gazing on the glory of God. The practice of gazing on the glory of God, and here I'm looking at 1 Corinthians chapter 3 and verse 18. Look at this verse and try and take it in. It's breathtaking. We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, we are being transformed. [00:26:04]
Ask the practice of praying for Purity, and you know this text, Psalm 51:10: "Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right Spirit within me." That is a believer's prayer, a believer's prayer, and it is one that we ought to use often. Remember, we said that cleansing in its nature, like my car that needs going through the wash again this weekend, just like it did last weekend. [00:35:21]
When Christ appears, we shall be like him because we will see him as he is. And notice the effect of this anticipation. John says, "And everyone who thus hopes in Christ will purify himself even as Christ is pure." This has a purifying effect—the anticipation of what you're going to be. There's going to be no sin in you then, so move towards that. [00:38:44]
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