The Pure in Heart

Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”

The Greek word for "pure" is katharos. It is an adjective meaning "pure as in being cleansed." The dictionary defines it as "unmixed with any other matter." It means that all the impurities have been removed. Those things that would stain it, those things that would lessen its quality, those things that would ruin it.  

So, what does it mean that we are to be "pure in heart?"  It is to have a character that is focused upon one thing.  It is to be wholly devoted to God. To serve only one master.  To have God and God only as your driving force. It is to love God completely. The pure in heart are not poisoned by any outside interference. Their motives are set by God’s will, which seeks first the kingdom of God. 

The ancient languages of Aramaic and Hebrew are very informative in understanding the spiritual meaning of purity and thus in comprehending the necessity to be pure of heart to "see God." In Aramaic, purity is associated with the term zakah (innocency), which in turn is related to the Hebrew root word zakak, which means to be translucent. Translucency means that light is allowed to pass through it. Therefore, if some faculty of perception is covered over with a barrier of any type it cannot fulfill its function; light cannot pass through it; what it is attempting to perceive cannot be perceived because the faculty is not translucent.

Zechariah 13:9

And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested.

To unite two things so opposite, as the impurity of the creature and the purity of God, the simplicity of God and the multiplicity of man, much more is requisite than the impotent efforts of the creature: no less than a singular and efficacious operation of the Almighty can ever accomplish this, for things must be reduced to some familiarity before they can blend and become one. The impurity of dross can not be united with the purity of gold.

The Lord will take us through all the experiences necessary to reduce us to pure gold. We cannot be united with God and enjoy His intimate presence until we are pure gold in His eyes. The only way to be as holy and pure as God, is to get our own abilities totally out of the way, and allow God’s ability to work in us. God’s ability is His grace, and God’s grace can only work in a life that has no working, performance or meriting actions. A dead-to-self person is the perfect criteria.  

People who love God are not exempted from trouble. Although we may not be able to understand fully the pain we experience, we should not give up. Times of great calamity and confusion have always improved great minds. The purest gold comes through the hottest furnace, and the brightest thunderbolt comes from the darkest storm of life. God intervenes and shelters us so that we will be pressed more closely to Him.

The pure in heart is a loving person — filled with love and compassion. If you have a pure heart it will result with a pure life. The pure in heart will receive the greatest gift of all.  They will forever bask in the very presence of God and experience a very deep and intimate fellowship with the Lord.

Psalm 24:3-4 
  ³Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?

And who shall stand in his holy place?  4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

The secret place is a place of holiness. We are only able to abide there with clean hands and a pure heart. In the secret place, we are safe from all harm. We are hidden in God's love and presence. It is a place of assurance, rest, quietness, and confidence. This is a place of healing. No depression is allowed in the heavenly place of His love. It is a place of peace, love, and intimacy with God. It is a place of renewal and restoration. It is a place where prayer is not only speaking to God, but also when God also speaks back to us, and we listen.

Living in the shadow of God's grace is such a blessing. Walking in the Light of His presence has no words enough to thank Him. How beautiful when humble hearts give the fruit of pure lives so that others may live. How beautiful...