PURE

This is not a beauty product advert – it is somewhat less superficial!  Most of us want to be pure and know that we are meant to be pure, but what does it mean to be pure?  The simplest dictionary definition gives this: ‘not mixed or adulterated with any other substance or material’, stating that it can be applied to  matter, colour, sound and morality.  For the child of God, the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.

‘God is looking for clean hands and a pure heart’ – Monica Johnson

‘Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?  Who may stand in his holy place?  The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god’ – Psalm 24: 3-4

If we want a clear connection with God our Father, anything that gets in the way must be cleared out of the way – a sullied heart with mixed motives and stained with guilt can actually be made pure.  We all know what it is to suffer with an impure heart.

‘Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?’  – Proverbs 20:9

How will God clean such a heart?  It begins with honest reflection and a desire to be clean.

‘If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness’ – I John 1:9

 ‘Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me’ – Psalm 51:10

There is nothing as beautiful and soothing to the soul as a clean heart that does not need to hide from God – the world cannot give this and nor can it understand it.  The undivided heart sleeps well for it is pure in essence, thought and speech.

‘To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure’ – Titus 1:5

 Imagine a world where our prayer to be ‘blameless and pure’ is answered and we can shine as stars in the sky, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation’.  Such purity is not automatic but the wisdom of God shows the way.

 ‘The Bible is one of the greatest blessings bestowed by God on the children of men. It has God for its author; salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture for its matter. It is all pure’ – John Locke

‘Dear friends, now we are children of God and what we will be has not yet been made known.  But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure’ – 1 John 3: 2-3

The path of purity has pitfalls but it is a simple choice to seek for a soft undivided heart towards God. 

 ‘Pure, holy simplicity confounds all the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of the flesh’ – St Francis of Assisi

‘How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.  I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you’ – Psalm 119: 9-10

 ‘Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things’ – Philippians 4:8

Do you want to see God?  Then make the choice for purity and discover that He is well able to make you ‘blameless and pure’.

 ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God’ – Matthew 5:8

Oh Joy

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