Matthew 5:8-9 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
Remember when you first fell in love and couldn’t get that person off your mind? You were continually thinking of them throughout the day, talking to them whenever you could, and anxious for quality time, figuring how you might bless them. That is what it means to be pure in heart towards God.
Pure in heart can be translated as single-minded as opposed to what James calls double-minded (James 1:8). Jesus is speaking to the inner allegiance of our hearts. The pure in heart are single-mindedly taking every thought captive in how to best fulfill Christ’s interests. As they are joyfully seeking ways to bless His heart, giving themselves in service to others, they are seeing God answer prayers and bless their plans (Jn. 13:34, Jn. 14:21, Jn. 15:7-12). Congratulations to you who are pure in heart! Jesus wants to commend you on being in a position to have fullness of joy, seeing His hand continually at work in your life.
“Pursue peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14).” Sons are imitators of their fathers. Christians’ heavenly Father pursued reconciliation and peace with them through Jesus, and Jesus says we must imitate Him with one another. Are you continually humbling yourself, pursuing peace and reconciliation with those whom you know there has been a breakdown of relationship?
Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for showing us the way to be friends with you while reflecting your nature to those around us. Holy Spirit, help us to be stuffed full to overflowing with Christ’s love today, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.