SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(Matthew 5:8) "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."
(Psalms 73:1) "Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart."
(Psalms 51:10-12) (10) "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (11) "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me." (12) "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit." (13) "Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."
(Psalms 24:3-5) "Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?" (4) "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully." (5) "He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."
(Ezekiel 11:19-20) "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:" (20) "That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God."
(Ezekiel 36:26-27) (26) "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." (27) "And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."
(Hebrews 10:22) "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."
(James 4:8) "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
(1 Timothy 1:5) "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:"
(2 Timothy 2:22) "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
PREFACE SUMMARY
Dear reader, in my walk with Christ, people have often accused me of having a pure heart. But what does it mean to have a pure heart, and why is it important?
Beloved, in the word of God, we find that God called King David a man after His own heart. However, what does God mean by this statement?
Saints, did you know that the heart is the inward part of a person where emotions and expressions are birthed? The scriptures declare in (Matthew 12:34) "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." In other words, the mouth will speak what is in one's heart."
Beloved, in (Jeremiah 17:9), the Lord speaks of man's heart as desperately evil. Therefore, how can the scriptures state that the pure in heart shall see God?
To understand what it means to have a pure heart before God and our fellow man, we must study the sermon on the Mount, where Jesus addressed this subject in what we call "The Beatitudes." This message will help us better understand why the word of God states in ((Matthew 5:8) "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
" DOCTOR LAW MEETS DOCTOR GRACE"
Dear reader, did you know that all our songs, prayers, and acts of worship reflect the mercy of God that we see in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? The scriptures declare that people with clean hands and a pure heart shall see God, but what does this mean? It means that we can better understand the difference between a heart born under the curse of sin and one changed by accepting God's free pardon. This free pardon cannot be earned through the works of men but can only be found in the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let's illustrate the law and grace to help us understand the finished work of the Lord concerning grace, which is God's unmerited favor. Imagine a man who tries to fill the void in his life by living it up in the world. Although there is pleasure in sin for a season, he soon discovers he is unhappy. The man makes an appointment to see Dr. Law, who diagnoses him with a sin problem and tells him that to cure his problem, he needs a heart transplant.
The man joins a local church but is still unhappy and feels like something is missing. He then goes back to see Dr. Law and asks for the transplant. Dr. Law informs the man that he cannot do the surgery and makes him an appointment with Dr. Grace, who not only gives him the transplant but can introduce him to his donor, Jesus Christ.
After the transplant, the man is happy and returns to see Dr. Law. Dr. Law tells him that before the transplant, he was guilty of breaking God’s commandments because of sin, but now that he has had his transplant, he has fulfilled Dr. Law's requirements and has been declared righteous in the eyes of God.
The law was given to show man how far he was away from his Creator because of Adam and Eve's sin in the garden by giving in to the wiles of Satan and eating the forbidden fruit, which forfeited his dominion over the earth plunging the human race into sin. Jesus came to bridge the gap between God and man, paving the way for man to get back in fellowship with his Creator. Beloved, this study intends to show us that it is time to get past the cross and into Sonship.
"THE PURE IN HEART SHALL SEE GOD"
Dear readers, in chapter five of the book of Matthew, Jesus promised the people gathered by the Sea of Galilee that those pure in heart should see God.
Beloved, in the fifth chapter of Matthew's gospel, the Lord spoke the famous words that still echo throughout some pulpits today: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
In this study, we will discover that the word "pure" used in this beatitude means one who is holy before the Lord. The Greek word for "pure" would be "cleansed". This beatitude could be translated as "Blessed is the person who is genuine in heart."
Did you know that a court document is considered genuine and admissible in any court if it is genuine, meaning the original document? Similarly, when a leather bill-fold is stamped "genuine leather," it means it is not imitation leather but the real thing. Therefore, to be endorsed as genuine is to declare that it is accurate.
People with pure hearts strive towards being men and women of integrity, including being honest with their fellow human beings. To be pure in heart does not mean being perfect, but rather striving to live a clean life and being willing to admit one's mistakes and become honest with God and oneself.
People with pure hearts do not allow the many disappointments and upsets that life may bring to influence their lives. They are known to be people of sound judgment who maintain control of their lives and leave the punishments for wrongdoing in the hands of God, who promised to avenge his people who call unto him day and night.
People with pure hearts before God live to maintain a close relationship with God so that they may be honest with themselves and others. They do not seek attention to themselves, and they strive to be slow to speak and slow to wrath, which could be summed up as people who know how to keep their spirits under control.
People with pure hearts before God accept responsibility for their actions and maintain healthy relationships with their families. They realize they are a part of something greater than themselves and have a singleness of heart towards God. They choose to look past the faults of others and see a precious soul in God's eyes because these precious people have a heart full of love, which makes them have an attribute of God, for he is the very essence of love.
Moses could only see God's hindering parts as he was placed in the cleft of the rock, and God passed by. It was an overwhelming experience for him to stand in the presence of a powerful being perfect in all his ways and character.
Today, we seem to see a trend advancing that allows the flesh to stay alive with its self-gratification and tend to forget that God is Holy and hates sin.
After being in the presence of Almighty God, Moses glowed so bright with the radiance of that encounter that he had to place a veil over his face because the Glory of God was shining through him.
In conclusion, we can open the book of Revelation and read where the Holy Angels in Heaven are seen covering their face in the presence of God. Throughout scripture, it is listed that mere men trembled and fell on their faces when face to face with one of these Holy Angels.
MY CONCLUSION
Dear readers, did you know that Christ is the very essence of life. and it is in Him, that we live and have our being?
Beloved, since we know that Christ is the very essence of life, may we strive for perfection and enter into God's rest because He speaks volumes in the fifteen chapters of John's gospel and the sixteenth verse concerning his plan for us.
(John 15:16) "He called us and ordained us to go forth and bring forth fruit, and our fruit should remain so that whatsoever we ask of the Father in His name, He may give it unto us."
Beloved, these scriptures plainly state that God is the one who chose us, and other scriptures declare that He did it before creation. Therefore, if He began the work in us, it is up to Him to finish the job. All that is required is to surrender our lives to Him and abide in His amazing grace and love.
Dear readers, did you know that we have a promise from the word of God? If we keep ourselves pure and holy before Him, we shall see Jesus face to face and beloved; this is the bottom line of this study. We need to fill our hearts and minds with Christ.
In the second chapter, Paul warns Timothy in (2 Timothy 2:22) "flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Beloved, I hope this message gives insight into how lax our standards have become today, especially when we align our lives with God's Word. Instead of attempting to bring him down to our level, we would do good to realize that he is the standard of all things that exist, both seen and unseen.
Church, it is time to wake up to the call and task upon us and strip ourselves from the love of this world and the love of self as we turn to the Lord with our whole hearts fasting and our prayers being saturated with our tears until we hear from heaven.
Beloved, let us remember that our view of the Living God will affect our view of our fellow man, and as the word says in (1 John 4:20) "How can we say we love God whom we have not seen and hate our brother whom we have seen who is made in his image and likeness."
Beloved, it is time to get past the Sanctuary of worship and enter an excellent relationship with Christ, who is not flesh and blood but an eternal being. Nothing should ever be allowed to take the place of being in his presence.
Dear reader, there should never be a question in our mind when it comes to our relationship with him, and when I am talking about People, places, and things, including family, which are temporal and will come to an end. Still, our place of being in a direct relationship with him will determine how much he can trust us in the future.
Beloved, we need to come into a place of holy reverence for who he is and what he has done for us so that we might be called sons and daughters of the Most High God.
Saints, Luke 22 speaks of Jesus giving the same delegated authority that he received from his father to his church. Still, to walk in that authority, we must get past regular worship, filled with artificial forms and agendas that exemplify the flesh more than the creator.
Dear Saints, I am discussing when church becomes more than good meetings and preaching. It is when we get tired of the church in the norm and the world being able to sit comfortably in our discussions, and there is no conviction of their sin and way of life.
Beloved, this message is about the pure in heart that will not only see the Lord when he comes for his church but can enter into his presence now in this life, for he states in his word that if we seek his presence with our whole heart, we have his promise that he shall be found. (Isaiah 55:6)
Beloved reader, are you aware that God wants to call us away from the crowd and closer to himself so we can become instruments for his purpose?
We cannot minister what we have not received. Unfortunately, many people today want a religion that they can control and that allows them to indulge in their fleshly desires.
What the church needs now more than ever is a fresh encounter with the holiness and presence of the living God. Throughout history, people have tried to bring God down to their level, but when we experience his presence and holiness through His Spirit, we realize that he is the Standard and has called us all to repentance.
The holy scriptures show that even great men of God trembled and fell on their faces when they encountered the holy Angels. We can only imagine what it will be like to meet this awe-inspiring Eternal being one day and give an account of our lives.
But the good news is that this incredible Creator has extended an invitation to all of us to receive his pardon and grace through the finished work of his Son, Jesus Christ. He gave his life as a ransom for all who accepted his pardon and forgiveness.
And did you know that we have received the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, making us Sons, Daughters, and Heirs of his royal family? So, let us take a moment to thank him for all he has done for us and praise him for the fantastic grace available to all who call upon his mighty name.
MY CLOSING PRAYER
Dear Lord, thank you for the opportunity to close this message with a word of prayer to all who will take time out of their busy schedule to read it with an open heart. Father, I ask that you bless each one who, through this message, has surrendered their life more to your purpose. I ask that you intensify the work that you have begun in their life and ministry.
Lord, I ask that you bless them spiritually, financially, physically, relationally, and emotionally so that their life may be blessed to enrich the lives of others. From this day forward, I ask that your will, purpose, word, and spirit will have a free course in their life and everyone they meet. In Jesus' mighty name, I ask that you touch, heal, and deliver all those who read this prayer and call upon your excellent name. I ask that you meet their needs right where they are.
Father, I pray that all curses and words spoken against them will be broken. I ask that you stand up in them in these last days and make their life count for your cause and purpose. As you awaken the gifts and talents placed in them from birth, I pray they may become unified in the faith with other believers, realizing the need to work together in harmony like a fine-tuned orchestra in the master's hands.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your tremendous love and blessing over our lives. We rest knowing that you promised never to leave nor forsake us as your children. You promised to go with us, even to the world's end.
Dear Lord, please forgive us for failing to remember that you know our needs before we ask. You were once one of us, tempted in all points, as we were. You went to the cross to pay our sin debt so that we could be adopted into your royal family as Sons and Daughters sharing with you in your glory. Thank You, Jesus.
Dear Lord, I ask you to enlarge our borders and place your hand of blessing upon us to guide us in the path you have chosen for us. We need your divine guidance to walk fully in your blessing and goodness. Please deliver us from evil so we will not be tempted or cause pain.
Lord, I pray that your blessed holy name might be glorified throughout the Earth as you leave your signature through us to future generations. I ask that you assign an angel to accompany this work into the homes of every person who will take the time to read it.
Lord, help us stand firm together, activating our faith. It is in these trying times, through your grace, that we can find rest in knowing that we can depend on you, our God, "Our Father," to come on the scene to direct our path and to guide our footsteps.
Dear Lord, help us to understand that our survival depends on you. Help us realize that we represent your glorious body on Earth. Therefore, please help us know that there is strength in numbers, and we need each other to be fruitful and live prosperous lives as your people.
Lord, please help us not to be careless and prideful in our Christian walk or resemble a bunch of used body parts. Help us realize, Lord, that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves and part of your glorious body as sons and daughters in your royal family and kingdom.
Dear Lord, I pray that you stir us up and burden our hearts for true revival in every country worldwide. Demonstrate to the people in these countries that you are the Unchanging God, for your word declares that what you were yesterday, you are today and will be tomorrow! (Hebrews 13:8).
Dear Heavenly Father, I ask that you bless each person who has taken time to read this message and has humbly surrendered their life more to your purpose. I ask that you intensify the work that you have begun in their life and ministry in Jesus' mighty name.
Lord, I ask that you bless them spiritually, financially, physically, relationally, and emotionally so that their life may be blessed to enrich the lives of others. From this day forward, I ask that your will, purpose, word, and spirit have a free course in their life and everyone they meet.
Father, I pray that all curses and words spoken against them will be broken. I ask that you stand up for them in these last days and make their lives count. I ask you to awaken the gifts and talents placed in them at birth so they may become unified in the faith with other believers, realizing the need to work together in harmony like a fine-tuned orchestra in the master's hands.
Father, I pray that anyone reading this prayer who needs deliverance from some oppressing spirit, including some illnesses that may be attacking their body, Lord, pray that your Holy Spirit would raise a standard against these attacks and set them free.
Lord, I pray that the power of your written and spoken word be activated through the authority made available unto us in the name of Jesus, and we apply the following scriptures to our prayer.
(John 16:23) "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you." and (Psalms 34:15) "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry."
Father, we close our prayer believing that you have heard and answered us according to your divine will and purpose, for it is in Jesus' mighty name we pray and ask these favors. A-Men
Be Blessed and be a Blessing!
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
