Be Pure in Heart

“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.-Psalm 24:3-4 (ESV). “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” –Matthew 5:8 (KJV). “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” –Luke 6:45. (ESV) “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” –Philippians 4:8 (KJV).

Today we are lambasted on every hand by that which defiles. We have to struggle to be pure in heart, to refrain from thoughts and actions that are unholy. The Psalmist asked a pointed question: Who can go up to the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place? Jerusalem was on a hill and to go to the temple was an upward climb. Oftentimes, the worshipers would ascend the hill together, praising God as they climbed. But the heart had to be purified first. The Jews often went through ceremonial cleansing with water or bearing a sacrifice of cleansing, or an animal for blood sacrifice to cleanse from sins. The Psalmist urged heart-cleansing for purity—not following false teachings or idols, not swearing. The New Testament teaches purity of heart and emphasizes wholeness of thoughts and desires. Rev. J. R. Dummelow in his commentary on purity of heart states: “A thing is pure when it contains no admixture of other substances.” Benevolence is pure if it is done without self-seeking or calling attention to the giver. Justice is pure when it is impartial. The pure in heart will be rewarded by seeing God (Mt. 5:8).

Paul, whose writings are filled with solid advice to Christians on how to live a life pleasing to God, gave us good teaching for becoming pure in heart. He said: “Think on these things.” And included in that list of what to think on: what is true, what is honest, what is just, what is pure, what is lovely, what is of good report. His list of good things to think on is inclusive—but hard to do. A wise teacher once told me that when an impure or evil thought enters your mind, quickly rid your mind of that thought and replace it by a good thought. I’ve heard this, told somewhat as a joke but containing sound advice: “When the devil knocks on my door, I ask Jesus to answer it.” The ancient Jews believed in blood sacrifice for sin and to cleanse the worshiper of impurities in his life. This is referred to in Hebrews 9:22: “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remissionof sin.”(KJV). The believing heart is made pure through Jesus’ blood. His blood sacrifice does not have to be repeated; “once for all, O sinner believe it” as the old hymn states. But even with our new nature, we have to work on conforming ourselves into God’s pattern. “Think on these things” as Paul said, which lead to purity of heart. Fannie Estelle Davison wrote a beautiful poetic prayer which became the hymn, “Purer in Heart.” May her words be our prayer today: “Purer in heart, O God, Help me to be; Until Thy holy face, One day I see; Keep me from secret sin, Reign Thou my soul within; Purer in heart, Help me to be.” Amen.