Response
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” « Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. », (Matthew 5:8). Jesus spoke these words during His renowned Sermon on the Mount. So, what did He mean by “pure in heart?”
The Greek term for “pure” in Matthew 5:8 is katharos. It signifies being “clean, blameless, unstained from guilt.” Interestingly, the term can specifically allude to that which is purified by fire or pruning. John the Baptist informed people that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire «I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: », (Matthew 3:11). Malachi describes the Messiah as akin to a “refiner’s fire” «But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: », (Malachi 3:2). Jesus depicts believers as the branches and Himself as the vine (John 15:1-17). For a vine to bear fruit, it must undergo pruning. Therefore, those who are genuinely “pure” are those who have been declared innocent due to Jesus’ work and are being sanctified by His refining fire and pruning.
The Greek term for “heart” in Matthew 5:8 is kardeeah. This can pertain to the physical heart but also denotes the spiritual core of life. It is where thoughts, desires, sense of purpose, will, understanding, and character reside. Hence, being pure in heart implies being blameless in our true essence.
Being pure in heart involves having a singleness of heart toward God. A pure heart has no hypocrisy, no guile, no hidden motives. The pure heart is marked by transparency and an uncompromising desire to please God in all things. It is more than an external purity of behavior; it is an internal purity of soul.
The only way we can be truly pure in heart is to give our lives to Jesus and ask Him to do the cleansing work. Psalm 51:10 says, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” God is the one who makes our hearts pure – by the sacrifice of His Son and through His sanctifying work in our lives (see also 1 John 3:1-3).
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