The Possibility of Purity
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8
Pure hearts will be Christ-like. It is God’s desire that we be conformed to the image of His Son. If Christ lives within us, and our bodies become the abode of the Holy Spirit, is it any wonder that we should be like Him? And just what do we mean by “Christ-like”?
The Bible says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Jesus had a humble heart. If He abides in us, pride will never dominate our lives. Jesus had a loving heart. If He dwells within us, hatred and bitterness will never rule us. Jesus had a forgiving and understanding heart. If He lives within us, mercy will temper our relationships with our fellow men. Jesus had unselfish interests. But even more, Jesus’ one desire was to do His Father’s will. This is the essence of Christ-likeness—eager obedience to the Father’s will.
You say, “That’s a big order!” I admit that. It would be impossible if we had to measure up to Him in our own strength and with our own natural hearts.
Paul recognized that he could never attain this heart purity by his own striving. He said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
Christ provided the possibility of purity by His death on the cross. The righteousness and the purity of God are imputed to men who confess their sins and receive Christ into their hearts.
The greatest happiness that comes to the pure heart is twofold: not only a proper relationship with others but a sublime relationship with God. “For they shall see God.” The gates of Eden swing open once more. God and man walk together once again.
Our Father and our God, I want to be obedient to Your will, but my pride and unforgiving spirit often keep me from it. Help me to give up hatred and bitterness in all their forms. Purify my heart, O Lord, and help me to be more like Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.
Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).