THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM #6
Text: Matthew 5:8
"PURE IN HEART"
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD. How we see God depends on the condition of our heart! THE BIBLE TEACHES GODLINESS AND PURITY!
(Read I Tim. 4: 7 - 5:22 - 6:11 - Titus 2:12,13 - Hebrews 12:14 - II Peter 3: 10-12)
No higher compliment can be paid to a Christian than to call him a godly person.
THEY MIGHT BE A GREAT PARENT, A ZEALOUS CHURCH WORKER, A DYNAMIC SPOKESMAN, OR
A VERY TALLENTED PERSON, BUT NONE OF THESE MATTER IF THEY DON’T LIVE GODLY LIVES!
In this Beatitude Jesus is calling for a self-examination of our heart. God is Interested in our heart. --- The heart is the seat of emotions, attitudes, motives, thinking and will!
Salvation comes from the Heart. (Romans 10:9,10) ----- The Bible says that man looks on the outside but God looks on the heart. (I Sam. 16:7)
In order for a man to be Pure on the Outside, He must first be Pure on the Inside!
It has always been the heart condition of man that has led to impurity. Gen. 6:5 - When God destroyed the earth by flood.... The heart of man was continually evil! --- I Sam. 10:9 - Saul backslide because of Change of Heart --- Psalm 51:10 - David prayed..... Create in me a clean heart Matthew 15:8 - Jesus said to the Pharisees and Hypocrites... The people honor me with their mouth, but their heart is far from me. --- Jesus said in James 4:4 - Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. (double minded - trying to love God and the world)
Note Psalm 24: 3-5 - Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. Psalm 15: 1-5 - Lord, Who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
He that backbitteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. In whose eyes a vile person is condemned; but honoreth those that fear the Lord.... And Changeth Not!
Note the two words in Psa. 15:1 - Abide and Dwell.... These represent a continuous action! -- Those who abide in God’s Tabernacle or God’s Holy Hill can’t quit.... they must continue!
V.2 - He that Walks right, Works right, and Talks right.... These are all in the present tense... It is not what I used to do... It is what we are doing right now!
WALKS RIGHT - Mk.12:30 - Love God with all thy Heart.... WORKS RIGHT - Prov. 21:8 - as for the pure, his work is right..... TALKS RIGHT - the words of the pure, are pleasant words....
V.3 - He that backbiteth not with his tongue.... THE PURE IN HEART, HAVE A GODLY TONGUE!
Beware of Gossip (I Tim. 5:13) --- Judging (7: 1-5) --- Lying (Rev. 21:8) --- Slander (101:5)
Whispering (Rom. 1:29) This sin is listed with backbitters, haters of God, murders, fornication, homosexuals, and wickedness --- Profanity (Ex. 20:7) --- Complaining (Jude 16)
Why does a person use their tongues in such a matter..... Their heart is not right with God!
Matthew 12:34 - For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh!
IF WE GET OUR HEART RIGHT..... Our walk, our work, our talk and even our thought life
Pr. 23:7 - As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he... will be right!
It is a matter of priority.... God must have first place in our hearts or He will have nothing!
It is a matter of the other Beatitudes that bring us to being Pure in Heart..... Poor in Spirit,
Mourn over sin, Meek, Hunger and Thirst for God, and Merciful!
HOW CAN WE MAINTAIN A PURE HEART? Realize we are unable to live pure lives without God’s help – Study and Meditate in God’s Word – Live your life in the Power of the Holy Spirit –
Pray without ceasing!
