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The Beatitudes, Part 6: The Pure in Heart

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God, as expressed in Matthew 5:8, setting a standard that is exceedingly challenging to attain. Purity of heart transcends mere external rituals, focusing instead on the inner transformation of character, attitude, and motive. God places immense value on cleanliness, especially in the heart, conferring purity to His chosen people through His grace. Yet, maintaining this purity demands constant vigilance and effort, as defilement is easily communicated and human nature continually gravitates toward impurity. The call to purify the heart is evident in commands such as Isaiah 1:16, urging to wash and make oneself clean by putting away evil, and Jeremiah 4:14, imploring to wash the heart from wickedness to be saved. Jesus condemns the failure to achieve true inner purity, highlighting that no matter how clean the outside appears, an unchanged heart will return to filth. The process of purification begins with God's grace and faith in Christ's sacrifice but is far from complete at that initial stage; it is an ongoing journey toward sanctification and perfection. Daily attention to spiritual cleansing is vital, supported by the work of Jesus Christ as High Priest, the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God, all contributing to the transformation into His image. Scriptures emphasize renewing the mind daily, as seen in Romans 12:2 and II Corinthians 4:16, to maintain a fresh start on the path of righteousness. Human nature, with its deceitful enmity against God, constantly pulls toward sin, necessitating a guarded heart as counseled in Proverbs 4:23. Purity of heart requires truth in the inward parts and a continuous process of cleansing, uniting with a holy Christ to mortify the flesh and prioritize God in all things. Though complete purity as God embodies is unattainable in this life, the work of cleansing has begun, and God is faithful to complete it. The pure in heart, striving to remain free from sin's defilement, are blessed with spiritual discernment, seeing God's character and will clearly, and ultimately, they shall stand in His presence, beholding His face as the highest honor. This demands rigorous self-examination of motives and desires, ensuring they align with a sincere pursuit of God, a discipline well worth the effort for the promise it holds.

The Pure in Heart

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God, as declared in Matthew 5:8. To be pure in heart is to be clean, without stain or blemish, spotless, and undefiled, embodying moral and ethical cleanliness. This purity is not merely outward but resides deep within, at the core of one's being, reflecting an upright, virtuous inner nature. The heart, in this sense, encompasses the intangible qualities of personality, character, intellect, memory, emotions, desire, and will, serving as the seat of attitudes and inclinations. Purity of heart requires a thorough cleansing, transforming the source of human depravity into a wellspring of good. Naturally, the heart is deceitful and incurably diseased by human standards, prone to selfishness and sin. Only through a spiritual washing, initiated by God's justification and forgiveness, can this condition begin to change. This initial purification, accomplished through Christ's sacrifice, declares us guiltless and sets the foundation for ongoing transformation. Yet, this is merely the beginning. We must partner with God in a lifelong process of purifying our hearts, purging the works of the flesh, and replacing them with the fruit of His Spirit. This involves rejecting the devil's influence, drawing close to God, cleansing our actions, and transforming our inner nature. As we obey God's truth and practice love from a pure heart, these habits become ingrained, shaping our character to reflect His. To be pure in heart is to be pure throughout, from the deepest recesses of our being to our outward expressions. God sees into us completely, discerning every aspect of our nature. We cannot compartmentalize purity, being clean in one area while defiled in another, nor justify ungodliness in certain situations. Purity must permeate every facet of our lives. Though absolute purity in this life remains beyond reach, the standard is set high to spur us onward. Blessed are those determined to be pure in every way, striving with God's help to imitate Christ's character. As we purify our hearts, learning His ways and shedding sinful attitudes, God comes into sharper focus. We begin to understand His thoughts and actions, and His character becomes ours, enabling us to see Him as He truly is. Ultimately, those with clean hands and pure hearts, who seek God earnestly, are His true children, the Israel of God. They are the generation destined to stand in His holy place, to serve the King of glory throughout eternity in His Kingdom. Purifying the heart is thus essential to seeing God, both now in growing clarity and fully in the resurrection as members of His Family.

What Is the Prophesied 'Pure Language'? (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

God's people need spiritual lips, not carnal lips speaking Hebrew. The angel told Mary that she should call her son Iesous, which is not a Hebrew name.

A Pure Language

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

We don't need to be experts in Hebrew or use Hebrew names to call on the name of the Lord, nor is Hebrew sacred. Pure language comes from an undefiled heart.

How Will We See God?

Sermonette by Bill Onisick

Revelation 1:6-9 assures us that every eye will see Jesus Christ when He returns, but in what light will we see Him—in earnest joy or abject fear?

Blessed Are: Summary

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, Jesus exposes the depths of His own heart, while demonstrating the deficit of our own carnal hearts.

River of Life

Sermon by Bill Onisick

I Corinthians 13 describes the assaying instrument to detect the purity of love. Our need for love never ends as we move through the sanctification process.

Matthew (Part Twenty)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus explains that what truly defiles a person—evil thoughts, murder, adultery—comes from their heart and mind, not from eating with unwashed hands.

Is God in All Our Thoughts?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We must not allow the cares of the world, its pressures or its pride, to crowd God out of our thoughts, bringing about abominable works or evil fruits.

The Secret Sin Everyone Commits

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Self-righteous people tend to trust in their own heart, be wise in their own eyes, justify themselves, despise or disregard others, and judge or condemn others.

The Beatitudes, Part Three: Mourning

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Blessedness and mourning seem contradictory, but obviously Jesus saw spiritual benefits to sorrow. True, godly mourning gets high marks from God.

The Ninth Commandment (1997)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

We cannot measure how much evil the tongue has perpetrated, for falsehoods disguised as truth have destroyed reputations and even nations.

Jesus in the Feasts (Part One): The Bread of Life

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Even though the prophetic significance of the Holy Days outlines the the plan of God, the work of Jesus Christ in each event is even more significant.

Image and Likeness of God (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The true nature of God differs greatly from the trinitarian concept. Having created us in His form and shape, God is developing us into His character image.

The Perils of Double-Mindedness (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David F. Maas

The Devil has convinced humanity that harboring a little recreational sin will not hurt as long as the 'job approval ratings' remain high.

What's the Problem?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Until they become spiritual problems, we need to deal with the physical or psychological problems that often masquerade as graver spiritual problems.