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by Jodie44 on November 14th, 2005

Jodie44

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In the Beatitudes, what exactly did Jesus mean when He promised that the "pure in heart" will see God? Does salvation make your heart pure?

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  • by jalex137 on December 14th, 2005

    jalex137

    Jodie44, in commenting on Anonymous' answer, hit the nail on the head. We are indeed to be driven to despair by the righteous requirements of God, both in the law expressed in the Old Testament, and in the substantial raising of the bar by Jesus. We have to recognize that there is no one righteous. We then are driven to call out, with the publican, "God be merciful to me, a sinner!" That is the point at which the sacrifice of Christ for our sins becomes effective for us. Salvation does indeed make our heart pure, by implanting in us the purity of Christ, as He takes on the penalty of the wickedness of our hearts. It also promises us that we will eventually be liberated from the residual impurity of this life, to enjoy a complete purity of heart in the presence of God.

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  • by romans116 on May 8th, 2008

    romans116

    "If we say that we have [present tense] no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). When the Apostle Paul, describing the man who is a new creature in Christ, he says that "old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17), he is speaking of the new disposition of the Christian’s heart, which is wholly unlike his inner disposition prior to the Holy Spirit’s work of salvation.

    That purity of heart does not mean sinlessness of life. It is clear from the inspired record of the history of God’s saints. Noah got drunk; Abraham equivocated; Moses disobeyed God; Job cursed the day of his birth; Elijah fled in terror from Jezebel; Peter denied Christ. "Yes," perhaps someone will exclaim, "but all these things transpired before Christianity was established!" True, but it has also been the same since then. Where shall we go to find a Christian of superior attainments to those of the Apostle Paul? And what was his experience? Read Romans 7 and see. When he would do good, evil was present with him (v. 21).

    This spiritual purity that God demands penetrates far beyond the mere outward renovations and reformations that comprise such a large part of the efforts now being put forth in Christianity! Much that we see around us is a "hand" religion—seeking salvation by works—or a "head" religion that rests satisfied with an orthodox creed. But God "looketh on the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7)

    Genuine Christianity lays aside impure things (thoughts, motives, etc.). It is not enough to be pure in words and in outward works. Purity of DESIRES, MOTIVES, and INTENTS is what should (and does) characterize the child of God. Here, then, is a most important test for every professing Christian to apply to himself. "Are my affections set upon things above?" "Are my motives pure?" "Why do I assemble with the Lord’s people?" "Is it to be seen of men, or is it to meet with the Lord and to enjoy sweet fellowship with Him and His people?"

    "For they shall see God." Once more I would point out that the promises attached to these Beatitudes have both a present and a future fulfillment. The pure in heart possess spiritual discernment, and with the eyes of their understanding they obtain clear views of the Divine character and perceive the excellency of His attributes here on Earth and through the spirit.

    Opinion is divided as to whether these words of Christ refer to the new heart received at salvation or to that moral transformation of character that results from a Divine work of grace. Probably both aspects are combined here. In view of the late placement that this Beatitude occupies in the series, it would appear that the "purity of heart" upon which our Savior pronounced His blessing is that internal cleansing that both accompanies AND follows salvation.


    Hope this helps!

    God bless!

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  • by thatsJustme on April 10th, 2008

    thatsJustme

    "cleanliness" is next to Godliness and this phrase speaks not only of the body, it is of the heart . we are human and God does recognize this, we sin, period. Abraham, Moses, all had to sacrifice for their sins...but we are supposed to strive to have pure thoughts and deeds...as Jesus showed us.....

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  • by Anonymous on November 19th, 2005

    Anonymous

    I don't presume to speak for God or give a definitive answer to this, but this is what I've held that line to mean:

    You must have the best, most godly intentions in your heart. Your heart is what God mainly looks at. If all you have is goodness in your heart (and you have accepted Jesus as the Lord of all), you will be acceptable to God at all times, and he will reveal himself to you, both while you are living and after you die. He will reveal himself to you in how he guides your life, and sometimes even more directly (so you can "see" him), and he will allow you to reside with him eternally in heaven, so you will see him always then.

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  • by ThisAnonymous1 on April 10th, 2009

    ThisAnonymous1

    Salvation cleanses you of your sins, but it does not make your heart pure. The pure in heart do what is right because it is right. They don't do it to work their way to heaven, to get on God's good side, or to rack up points with the boss. They do it with no goal in mind but to help. They don't gossip. They don't spend time trying to get even. They don't harbor grudges. They are just truly good. There are many saved Christians out there that haven't been pure in heart since the day they learned to talk, and no amount of baptizing will change that.

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  • by Lover of Truth on March 29th, 2009

    Lover of Truth

    I'm not an authority on the Bible but it has lately played a big role in my own conversion story. First of all I believe that for me becomeing saved or converted is a step by step process that takes a lifetime. As we try to love our Heavenly Father and son our Savior Jesus Christ and try to become more like them, yes, in my case my heart has become more pure. Although I still have such a lifetime of JOY ahead of me as I step closer and closer to my God. When I fail, I have an advocate with the Father, his first born son, Jesus. I am able to repent!! What a blessing and then feel clean again in his sight. He says that when we repent and turn from evil he remembers our sins no more. The hardest part I have is forgiving myself, even though in his sight, it (my sin) has been erased. I do feel that first having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, leads us to repentence, which leads us to baptism, which leads us through a gate (symbolicly) that is the beginning of a wonderful life of finding out that Jesus already knows us from the top of our heads to the bottoms of our feet. And through determination, grace from Jesus when we cannot do it on our own, repentence our hearts are purified and purged of things we might have thought we could never let go of. My life has been at times hard , however, through Christ who I want to return to someday, it has been a joy in getting to know him and getting to know myself! MY OPINION
    Lover of Truth.

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  • by thatsJustme on March 11th, 2009

    thatsJustme

    the ones with "good heart conditions" will see God ..we have to keep it checked DAILY..A "good heart condition" makes Salvation.:)justme

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  • by Jeztyr - whispering in the ears of kings on April 10th, 2008

    Jeztyr - whispering in the ears of kings

    It's similar to when he said (paraphrasing) "It's not what goes into a man's mouth that makes him unclean, rather what comes out." or when he spoke of those giving donations, whereby the wealthy proudly showing off and giving a large sum are by no means better than the lowly who donate a few coppers.

    If I outwardly apologise to someone, but hold on to hatred for them, then I am no better off. It's what goes on inside us that determines who we are, not our worldly wealth, nor our actions nor physical conditions.

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  • by Christ One on March 11th, 2009

    Christ One

    The word "pure" means "to be free from moral or physical defilement; sinless and polished." The heart, which is our mind, is where our understanding is. A pure heart is to have a clean, polished, blameless, and sinless mind. Before we can receive the blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of our salvation, God wants our minds to be purged from all sin, guilt, and impurities. He wants our hearts, our minds, to be clean and our only desire is to know Him and have His Holy Spirit and Word in our hearts.

    Salvation is only the first step. A pure heart must be cultivated.

    The pure in heart are those who have an undefiled mind. Their thoughts are pure, therefore their actions are pure. The Holy Spirit pricks our conscience and directs, guides, and teaches us how to live a pure life in Him.

    I John 3:2-3 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

    3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

    It does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, because with His help we will see Him in all His purity, and us in His image and likeness. Praise the lord!

    Yes, salvation is the first step in changing our heart and minds to purity. Be encouraged in the Lord.

    Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

    14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus

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  • by Sixty B - Commander Topcoat on May 7th, 2008

    Sixty B - Commander Topcoat

    Hah, you've explained this to ME! How funny and cool is that?

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  • by pugwashjw65 on December 3rd, 2009

    pugwashjw65

    No MAN has literally SEEN God with his eyes...
    John 1.18
    Buit the word 'seen' can refer to understanding...
    so men on the earth can UNDERSTAND God by reading the Bible.
    The ones that are 'pure in heart' are the 144,000 [ Rev. 7;4 & 14;1]. These ones are specially chosen, by their actions on the earth, to eventually die and be with Jesus in heaven, in a spiritual sense, and act as judges and priests with him, in the final judging...

    (1 Corinthians 6:2-3) Or do YOU not know that the holy ones will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by YOU, are YOU unfit to try very trivial matters? 3 Do YOU not know that we shall judge angels? Why, then, not matters of this life?

    All the rest who are also approved do not go to heaven, but have a future on the earth..
    (Psalm 37:29) The righteous themselves will possess the earth, And they will reside forever upon it.
    (Psalm 37:34) Hope in Jehovah and keep his way, And he will exalt you to take possession of the earth. When the wicked ones are cut off, you will see [it].

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  • by Anonymous on August 22nd, 2009

    Anonymous

    IMO Pure in Heart means that you not only do the right things as per Biblical instruction but that your thinking is also pure. I have found that as your spirituality grows and your faith in God increases you begin to change - your core or "heart" begins to WANT to do everything right instead of "having" to do everything right! You seek the light - you desire to get closer to Him -

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  • by Anonymous on July 16th, 2009

    Anonymous

    Attitude of heart–to be conformed to the image of Christ is in my opinion the beginning of a pure heart and as a heart is in attitude so it shall see God. Seeing Him working in daily events, answering prayers that are in accordance to His will. Transforming a heart by the renewing of our mind by the Word of God and by His Holy Spirit. Not striving to do works but working out by desire, choice, and allowing Him to do what we can never do. Only God can make our hearts pure. It's a work of grace effected by willingness to seek Him and finding He is right here loving and nurturing, correcting, guiding and giving help and loving us unconditionally ... a pure heart senses GOD and mostly by faith working through love. Believing and receiving Christ saves us. He is at work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure, yet He never forces us ... a pure heart sees God with spiritual sight... we come believe and we come to see Him. Thank you for letting me share.
    –anonymous

    Resources:
    Peoples New Testament Commentary on Mat 5:8
    Blessed are the pure in heart. The Jew, under the tuition of the Pharisees, cared little for the state of the heart, so that outward forms were duly kept. Jesus, however, demands that the heart, the affections, the mind, shall be purified, as the fountain from whence flows the moral and religious life. A pure heart begets a pure life; an impure heart, a corrupt life.

    They shall see God. Not with the natural eye, but the spiritual vision; by faith. In the pure heart the Lord will dwell and his presence will be recognized. See Joh_14:23

    http://www.celebraterecovery.com/?p=630 a video about The Beatitudes–Life's Healing Choices

    “Happy are the pure in heart.” Matthew 5:8 TEV
    "You're blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. (Mat 5:8 MSG)

    “What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven. What joys when sins are covered over! What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record.” Psalm 32:1–2 TLB

    A David psalm. Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be-- you get a fresh start, your slate's wiped clean. Count yourself lucky-- GOD holds nothing against you and you're holding nothing back from him.
    (Psa 32:1-2 MSG)

    “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23–24 TLB

    Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

    Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
    Mat 5:8
    are.
    Mat_23:25-28; 1Ch_29:17-19; Psa_15:2; Psa_18:26; Psa_24:4; Psa_51:6; Psa_51:10; Psa_73:1; Pro_22:11; Eze_36:25-27; Act_15:9; 2Co_7:1; Tit_1:15; Heb_9:14; Heb_10:22; Jam_3:17; Jam_4:8; 1Pe_1:22;

    for.
    Gen_32:30; Job_19:26; Job_19:27; 1Co_13:12; Heb_12:14; 1Jo_3:2; 1Jo_3:3;

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  • by jesuslover on December 3rd, 2009

    jesuslover

    you have to believe in yourself and believe that all things are possible with God. Have a pure heart and keep on believing in God and the miricales he makes everyday. Im only 13 thats all the advice i have to give u :)

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  • by Nevermind on August 22nd, 2009

    Nevermind

    Jesus was simply trying to look wise.

    Jesus was always vague so that it would be difficult to prove him false.

    Later people would take advantage of the narrative by editing parts they disagreed with or use him as an authority by claiming to have received a vision.

    I don't know why people have bothered with such lengthy answers.

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