SPIRITUALLY PROSPEROUS: PURE IN HEART-SHALL SEE GOD

Many valued promises are guaranteed when our heart is pure. The greatness of our God compelled David to write, Who shall ascend in to the hill of the Lord’? To which He answered, ‘He that has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul unto vanity, or worshipped an idol: nor sworn deceitfully, He shall receive blessing from the Lord.’ (24:4, 5) The Psalmist assures us that the blessing of the Lord, which makes rich, and to which He adds no sorrow, shall follow us.

David supports this in his 51^st psalm,’ He asked his Creator to fashion within him a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within him.’ The word ‘bara’ showed the creation was ‘ex nihilo’ (out of nothing). The once mighty David had no such heart, having grievously sinned against his God; Uriah, the husband, sent to his death; and Bathsheba in an immoral attraction. He added, ’Renew a right spirit within me, do not cast me away from your presence, pleading, ‘Do not take your Holy Spirit from me.’ Secretly ask your Lord to create such a heart for you? Precious prayer!

The Lord Jesus taught, that the scribes and Pharisees were rotten- hearted, saying, ’Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, for you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of extortion and self-indulgence. ’ (Matthew 23:25) The Lord’s insight reveals more than any MRI or medical investigation. What are you like on the inside?

Ezekiel related to the hard-hearted nation of Israel and the individual: when the Lord promised, ’I will sanctify My great name which you have profaned;’ assuring that ‘the nations shall know I am the Lord, when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.’ In verse 24, after regathering Israel from the nations and all countries into their own land, then the amazing word, ‘I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and all your idols.’

God doesn’t stop there, promising ‘I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will take away the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh‘. A true heart transplant. Furthermore, He promised, ‘I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.’ (Ezekiel 36:22-27) Surely some of God’s exclusive promises.

While this refers to the nation of Israel, it relates equally and personally to us.

The writer to Hebrews urges us to ’follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord; to assess carefully, ’Lest any root of bitterness springing up should cause trouble, and by this many be defiled. (12:14) This forgotten truth focuses on holiness of life, thus banishing roots of bitterness which spoil many believers. Spiritually prosperous are the pure in heart.

Peter, after discussion on circumcision, weighs into this discussion, ‘God knows the heart, acknowledging them, by giving them the Holy Spirit as he did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.’ (Acts 15:8, 9) God wisely gave the Holy Spirit, and cleansed the inner make-up of man- that is, the heart, infinitely more important than any man could bring about.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians after pleading with us to come out from worldliness, and uncleanness, with the impressive promise that the Lord would receive us, be our Father, and accept us as sons and daughters. This amazing conclusion to the sixth chapter introduced the truth, ’Let us cleanse ourselves from all the filthiness of the flesh, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord.’ (2 Cor 7:1) God clearly longs for us to be free of the pollution of this passing world (fly-by-night mud sticks firmly) and to seek after holiness, while deeply revering the living God. We can only cleanse ourselves by washing in the precious blood of our Saviour. Perfecting holiness recurs in the bible, deserving our full attention. We must fully accept God’s desire.

Is it unthinkable that the Lord should say, ‘They shall see God?’ Listen to John in his epistle, ’Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it had not been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.‘(3:2) Our Lord confirms that we shall bear His alikeness.

The hope of the second coming of our Lord Jesus is boosted, knowing that He will transform our resurrection bodies into those that correspond with his risen body. Of course, this is a mystery to the saints of the Lord- but Oh, what comfort.

In many mid-Eastern countries, men are trusting in our Lord Jesus, having seen Him hanging on the cross in a God-given vision or dream. In Egypt many Muslims have come to personal faith in our Lord Jesus as Saviour and Lord, introduced to HIM by this extraordinary means. Normally, we see Him and know Him by the eye of faith, as the Word of God is explained.

The 22^nd chapter of the Revelation is a successful climax of the spiritual history of the Word of God ‘There shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve Him. Then the victorious declaration, ‘They shall see His face, and his Name shall be on their foreheads.’ (v3, 4) So the marvellous promise that ’Blessed are the pure in heart, that they shall see God’ is fulfilled in that jubilant hour.

As lovers we shall be satisfied when we awake with His likeness; as cheering recipients we shall see the face of Him who won the eternal battle of Calvary, thus surpassing all that flowed from the world cup of soccer; or from national sports, swimming, football, tennis or cricket. This ascendancy surpasses the ticket tape parades of overcoming heroes, for He is our sacrificing Saviour and victorious Lord.

Even Jesus Christ the Lord. My Saviour and King.