relationships (Matthew 5:8) Genuinely Pure in Heart

(Matthew 5:8)

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

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY

As my mom frequently said, "words are important", so, I looked up the word "pure" in the Bible dictionary.  Basically, "PURE" means to be clean, or clear.  Also:

• to be innocent
• to be free from sin
• to be sincerely and genuinely blameless
• to be unstained with the guilt of anything
• to be ethically free from corrupt desire
• to NOT impart any uncleanness
• to be guiltfree from every admixture of what is false

The only way anyone can get to heaven is with a pure heart, because God is holy and cannot have a relationship with sin.  The only way we can have a pure heart is though salvation, which is available only through Jesus Christ.  This is to humbly repent of our sins and accept the Lord Jesus into our hearts.  It is in that moment that Jesus forgives all of our sins (past, present, future), which purifies our hearts, as He covers us with His righteousness, and gives us His indwelling Holy Spirit.

Moving forward, once we are believers (born again as children of God), we are told:

(1 John 3:2-3)  Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

One of the illustrations that the Bible uses to help us understand the term "to be clean" is like how a vine is cleansed by pruning, so that it is able to bear fruit.  In our daily walk with the Lord, it is beneficial to confess our sins as we realize them, which prunes away the things that will prevent us from being productive and fruitful, as well as enjoying a close relationship with the Lord.  Being intimately connected to the vine (Jesus, Himself), is to be nourished so that we can grow, as well as have Him be our strength, love, hope, comfort, joy, peace...

(John 15:1-4)  “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.

Another illustration that the Bible uses to help us understand the term "to be pure" is the act of something being purified by fire.  And the Bible describes God as a consuming fire.  While believers cannot lose our salvation because we have been forgiven of all sin, when we get to heaven, we will be judged and rewarded according to our good works done with pure motives...

(1 Corinthians 3:12-15) Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw,  each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work.  If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire.

How exciting the thought is that we will see God face to face one day!  And meanwhile, having Him as our heavenly Father who is always with us, to helps us in all things, allows us to experience Him in mighty ways right now!

relationships (Malachi 4:1-5) Desire to Bless

(Malachi 4:1-5) 

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the Lord of armies, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branches. 2 But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and frolic like calves from the stall. 3 And you will crush the wicked underfoot, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I am preparing,” says the Lord of armies.

4 “Remember the Law of Moses My servant, the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.

5 “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and strike the land with complete destruction.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:.

This tiny portion of scripture contains several prophecies.  First, let's address the prophecies that refer to God's relationship with Israel.  Keep in mind that God chose Israel to be the missionaries to the world, and through them, the nations would see God's power and how He blesses those who love, honor, worship and obey Him.  

As well, through Israel, the nations would be blessed, as the Lord would be born through Abraham's bloodline, coming in flesh, in order to make salvation possible.  This is seen in the Abrahamic covenant (God's promises to Abraham, in Genesis 12:1-3) which also include the promises of Israel having land, seed and blessings.  

In this chapter, verses 2 and 4 remind Israel that in order for them to have these promises fulfilled, they must be in perfect obedience.  The only way to be perfectly obedient is to believe and trust in the Lord.  The Mosaic covenant (the ten commandments in Exodus 20:1-17) shows Israel, as well as us, what it means to be obedient.  But HOW, is the question!  Because God is holy, He cannot have a relationship with sin, and we are incapable of living perfect lives without any sin!  

This is why God provided the way, through His Son and His work on the cross.  When anyone goes to the Lord to humbly repent of their sins and accepts His salvation, He forgives our sins (past, present and future), covering us with His righteousness, changing us from the inside out, and sealing us with His Holy Spirit of promise, who is then with us for eternity to protect, help, and guide us.  Only in Jesus' salvation can we be saved and have a personal relationship with Him!

The reason why God created us in the first place, is to have a personal relationship with Him, because He wants to work with us, and He wants to bless us!  God also uses people to bless others, as seen through the prophets.  This scripture gives a two-fold prophecy of a prophet (Elijah-like) to prepare the way for Jesus.  John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus when He came to earth in flesh the first time (Matthew 3:1-3).  In the Tribulation, there will be two prophets preparing the way for Jesus' second coming (Revelation 11:3-13).

God does not want anyone to be punished, therefore He gives everyone just and fair opportunities with fair warning!  But anyone rejecting the Lord and His salvation will be judged and punished according to their sins.  Right now, Jesus brings spiritual peace to those who seek to have a personal relationship with Him.  In the Millennium, Jesus will also bring physical peace to this world, as He will sit on the throne of Israel, to fulfill all covenants.  This also includes the David covenant (God's promise that the throne of David will be everlasting, in 2 Samuel 7:16). 

It is important to understand that when God makes promises, He will fulfill them!  Therefore, when the Lord tells us that He wants to save us, be with us, help us, bless us, and have a relationship with us, only God is able to do this!  And God desires to do this, as well as all things, for each and everyone of us!