DCLM Higher Everyday 22 December 2023 — Purity Of Heart
Topic: Purity Of Heart
Text: Matthew 5:1-10
2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Key Verse: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5: 8).
Message
When Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher cried out, “I pray thee, O God, that I may be beautiful within,” he was asking for the purity of heart. A life characterized by purity of heart is a holy one and holiness is central to Christianity, because it is the nature of God and He demands it of His children. After the initial work of grace called salvation, God wants His children to consecrate themselves to Him and press forward to be sanctified.
As a Christian you must consecrate and pray for heart purity. God talks about giving His children a new heart (see Ezekiel 36: 26). This is the pure heart. It is indeed a prerequisite for seeing God and entering into heaven (Matthew 5:8; Psalm 24:3, 4). You can have a pure heart which will enable you to live without sin. Yield yourself unto God now and pray with passion unto Him and He will cleanse and purify your heart. After that experience, you will separate from all impurities, for God says, “…Keep thyself pure” (1 Timothy 5: 22).
Quote: Press forward to be sanctified
Challenge: Purity is a must for heaven-bound Christians.
Prayer for today: O God, please make me pure in heart.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
