0312. THE PURE IN HEART.

THE PURE IN HEART.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Mat_5:8).

I. What is the Heart? It embraces the will, the seat of the affections and desires. It is the Holy of Holies in man, the secret chamber of the Spirit.

II. What is Purity? Purity implies the absence of everything that would pollute the waters or mar the harmony of our highest being Pure air, water, or gold means the non-presence of defiling or debasing elements.

III. What is Meant by a Pure Heart? A heart brought back to its true and original condition, brought into perfect harmony with the will of God. The language of a pure heart is, "I delight to do Thy will, O God" (Psa_40:8).

IV. How can the Heart be Made Pure? The heart, though deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, can be made pure:

1. By faith in the atoning blood of Christ (Act_15:9 : Heb_9:14).

2. By a continual abiding in the truth (Joh_17:17; Eph_5:26).

V. What is the Blessing of a Pure Heart? "They shall see God." They see God-

1. In Christ Jesus.

2. In the Scriptures.

3. In providence.

4. In their own hearts.

They endure "as seeing Him who is invisible" (Heb_11:27).

VI. How is it that only a Pure Heart can be so Blessed? Because impurity blinds the eyes from seeing that which is pure and holy, just as jaundiced eyes discolour objects, or as earthly vapours conceal the heavens. "As a man thinketh in his heart so is he" (Pro_23:7).

VII. Is my Heart Pure? "Search me, O God?" (Psa_139:23).

Autor: James Smith