“They are blessed whose thoughts are pure…for they will see God.”Matthew 5:8

To the common people of their time, the Pharisees appeared to see everything. On the surface, they seemed to have laser-like insights. But Jesus had another perspective. In reality, He said, they were “blind.” Why? Because they did not have spiritual discernment. Instead, they focused on outward appearances. Although Jesus knew that outward behavior was important, He taught that the inner person was more important. He urged the Pharisees to focus more on their inner lives. As the “inside” was cleaned, the outside also would become “clean” (Matthew 23:26). Jesus used the same Greek word that He used in His Sermon on the Mount, where He taught that God would bless those whose thoughts were “pure.” Being clean and pure is important to God. He directed Noah only to take “clean” animals into the ark (Genesis 7:2). The Israelites were to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and God provided detailed regulations regarding cleanness in their lives (Leviticus 10-15). Only those with “clean hands and a pure heart” can ascend His hill and “stand in His holy place” (Psalm 24:3-4). And, if we have sinned, we are to pray for God to create in us “a clean heart” (Psalm 51:10). Jesus promised a new dimension of living for those whose thoughts are pure: “They will see God.” Such people will be more in tune with God, enabling His Spirit to flow freely in their lives. They will so desire His presence that they seek to eliminate anything that displeases Him. God will transform the hearts of those who seek this purity. They will look at life in new ways. They will be freed from distractions, and they won’t be dominated by corruption in the world. They will seek first God’s Kingdom. Brothers & Sisters, do you want to experience God’s blessings? Seek purity of heart. Ask the Lord to make your heart right before Him.