You Can See God Series

Scripture portion: Matthew 5:8- “BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART: FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD”

Introduction: In the previous chapter, we have seen that mercy and holiness are the two qualities which prepare us for our ministry. We meditated deeply about being filled with mercy. We also learned that those who can show the same mercy as that of God’s to others will obtain mercy to climb up to the next step of their spiritual journey in this world. In this chapter we are going to meditate on that next step, which is being pure in heart. By the mercy of God, we will start our journey to be pure in heart. By doing this, we are not only being prepared for our ministry in this world, but are also being prepared to meet our Bridegroom, Lord Jesus, in the second coming. The level and quality of ministry you are going to do for the Lord in this world directly depends on the level of mercy and purity (holiness) to which you have attained. The more you are filled with mercy and holiness, the more you can do wonders for the Lord, and also the more you will be prepared as a bride to meet your Bridegroom, Jesus.

Firstly, we have to understand the mercy of God by seeing this world through the eyes of God and also by experiencing personal salvation. Then, we have to show the same kind of mercy towards others. To show this kind of mercy, it is not just enough for us to experience salvation and see this world through God’s eyes, but also we have to undergo a lot of trials and tribulations. Those who will bear with patience and keep strong faith in God, in all these tribulations without grumbling against Him, will be able to show mercy towards others. Those who can do this will obtain mercy from God to climb the next step of being pure in heart. This is a summary of what I have been saying in the last chapter. I hope I am clear in what I have been trying to explain to you. Now, we shall concentrate on becoming pure in heart by the mercy of God.

Our God is a Holy God. If you ask me, “What is the most important quality of God?”, I will say without any doubt that it is holiness. Even love comes second, because, love is a part of holiness. Every good quality, whether it is love, or mercy, or grace, or patience, or meekness, is a part of holiness. In Galatians 5:22, we can see the fruit of Spirit. There Paul says, “the fruit of Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering----.” If we observe the words of Paul carefully, we can find that, even though he is listing many qualities, he is still considering them as only one fruit. He is saying “the fruit of the Spirit is” instead of “the fruits of the Spirit are”. By these words we can understand that all good qualities including love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, etc are a part of a final fruit. In this final fruit, are contained all these qualities. So, what is this ultimate fruit? We can find the answer in Romans 6:22. This fruit is Holiness. The fruit of the Spirit is holiness. How can Holy Spirit bear another fruit than holiness? His name itself indicates His nature. Holy Spirit is Holy. Therefore the fruit of Spirit which Paul is talking about in Galatians 5:22 is nothing other than holiness and not love as is generally being preached. Love is only a part of the main fruit. Do you want proof? Then, let me ask you a question. Can God sacrifice His holiness for love? No! Can God sacrifice His love for holiness? Yes! (This is the very reason He had to create a place called hell!). It is true that God is love, but more than that, God is holy. The archangels and the cherubs in Heaven are not singing day and night, “Loving, loving, loving, Lord God Almighty”, but they are singing, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.”! Therefore, we have to understand that love is only a part of holiness. Holiness also constitutes of qualities other than love as given by Paul in Galatians 5:22. I am not trying to lessen the importance of love. Without love, holiness is not complete, because love is a part of holiness. I am only trying to tell you that holiness means more than love. There is more to holiness than just love.

God wants you to be a loving person. But more than that, God wants you to be holy. Jesus is saying that it is the pure in heart who will see God, not just who are filled with love. It is possible for you to be a loving person, overflowing with love, but at the same time not holy. Wondering how it is possible?! Then turn to the first epistle written by Paul to the Thessalonians. In that book, if you read the first nine verses of the fourth chapter carefully, you can find that the Thessalonians are filled with love, but coming to holiness, they are not up to the mark. Here, Paul is exhorting them to flee from uncleanness but he is not exhorting them to show love. This is because, they have love, but they do not have holiness. This again proves that holiness is the ultimate fruit of the spirit, and that love is only a part of holiness. It takes more than just love to be pure in heart. That is what Jesus is expecting from every one of us when He is saying, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”