Blessed Are The Pure In Heart Series

Becoming (6)

Dustin Lee Boden / General

“Blessed are the Pure”

Matthew 5:1–8 ESV

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Introduction:

Today we are going to be continuing our series “Becoming”… we have been focusing on the Beatitudes.

Today, we will be focusing on Matthew 5:8 , "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

Matthew 5:8 ESV

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

“The pure in heart are those who are unspoiled by the world and who live in constant contact with God.”

~ A.W.Tozer

To give you an illustration...

I want you to imagine for a moment… that you’re standing on the edge of a crystal-clear lake.

The water is so pure that you can see straight to the bottom—every rock, every fish, every ripple perfectly visible.

The clarity is breathtaking.... there is such a serene and peaceful atmosphere… a mirror-like reflection of the surrounding landscape.

The overall scene exudes a peaceful, almost otherworldly calm, inviting anyone who gazes upon it to pause and reflect.

Now, imagine that same lake polluted and murky—where you can’t see an inch below the surface.

The water, which once offered a crystal-clear reflection of the sky and surrounding nature, is now dark and impenetrable, distorting the scene above it.

The shoreline, once inviting and serene, feels heavy with the weight of neglect and contamination.

What once inspired peace and awe now stirs a sense of discomfort and unease, as the purity of the lake has been tainted, leaving behind a stark reminder of what has been lost.

This contrast paints a vivid picture of the human heart.

In our fast-paced, media-saturated world, where distractions abound and moral boundaries blur, the idea of having a “pure heart” can seem distant, almost unattainable.

Yet, Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, boldly declares in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

These words are not just a call to outward morality or religious duty—they are a call to a radical inner transformation, one that begins deep within and reshapes every part of our lives.

But what does it mean to be "pure in heart"?

Is it simply about avoiding wrong actions, or is there something deeper at play?

And in a world where impurity seems to be the default setting, how do we maintain this purity?

Jesus promises that the pure in heart will see God.

But how do we arrive at this place of purity in heart?

The answer lies in the journey Jesus has already laid out in the first five Beatitudes.

See… each beatitude builds upon the previous, creating a pathway toward becoming more like Christ, and they all set the stage for this sixth step—a step that promises we will see God.

It begins with being “poor in spirit”—recognizing our spiritual poverty and total dependence on God. This is foundational for a pure heart.

From there, we move to “mourning” over our sin and the brokenness in the world. This leads to repentance, which purifies our hearts further.

Next, we embrace “meekness,” a gentle strength that submits to God. A pure heart is a heart that is humble and teachable, fully aligned with God’s will.

Then comes a “hunger and thirst for righteousness.” As we yearn for God’s ways, our hearts are purified by our desire for what is right in His eyes.

Finally, we become “merciful,” reflecting the mercy we’ve received from God… how we relate to others, extending God’s love and grace.

Each of these steps purifies our hearts and refines our motives, leading us to the sixth Beatitude: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

A pure heart, undivided in its devotion to God, transforms every aspect of our lives, leading us to see God clearly in a world clouded by distractions and sin.

Today, as we continue our series on the Beatitudes today, we are going to unpack 3 key aspects:

1. Understanding a Pure Heart

2. The Challenge of Purity

3. The Reward of Purity

1. Understanding a Pure Heart

1. A pure heart is one that is undivided in its devotion to God, free from hidden motives, and fully aligned with His will.