By David ReayThursday 23 May 2019LifeWords DevotionalsFaithReading Time: 2 minutes
Photo: Matt Noble, Unsplash
Matthew 5:8 – “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” (NLT)
When we read a food label which says “pure sugar” or “pure milk”, we take it to mean that the product is not contaminated by other substances. It is the real thing.
So when Jesus speaks of purity of heart, He is not just making some oblique comment about sexual impropriety. He is speaking of being “the real thing” in our discipleship.
In effect, He says that those who are single-mindedly devoted to God’s work, will discern God at work.
God is always active in our lives and in the world around us. But only as we clearly focus on living for Him, do we see that activity. Those who are preoccupied with lots of other things, those who merely dabble in the faith, will be deaf and blind to the work of God.
If my attention is always being distracted away from God, then of course there is less chance of my taking notice of what He is doing, and there is less chance of my getting in on what He is doing.
Purity of heart is all about having a clear vision of what our purpose in life is all about. It is not the same as being super-spiritual; our following Jesus is played out in the mundane landscape of everyday life.
Those who are pure in heart are those who are really seeking God, and so are the ones who will find Him. Connecting with God is not a game of hide and seek, though we might say God is the one who is always doing the seeking, while we too often do the hiding!
Blessings
David