Jan. 8
PURITY OF HEART AND LIFE
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Matt. 5:8
Purity, even purity of heart, is the main thing to be aimed at. We
need to be made clean within through the Spirit and the Word, and then
we shall be clean without by consecration and obedience. There is a
close connection between the affections and the understanding: if we
love evil, we cannot understand that which is good. If the heart is
foul, the eye will be dim. How can those men see a holy God who love
unholy things?
What a privilege it is to see God here! A glimpse of Him is Heaven
below! In Christ Jesus the pure in heart behold the Father. We see
Him, His truth, His love, His purpose, His sovereignty, His covenant
character, yea, we see Himself in Christ. But this is only apprehended
as sin is kept out of the heart. Only those who aim at godliness can
cry, "Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord." The desire of Moses, "I
beseech thee, show me thy glory," can only be fulfilled in us as we
purify ourselves from all iniquity. We shall "see him as he is"; and
"every one that hath this hope in him purifieth himself." The
enjoyment of present fellowship and the hope of the beatific vision
are urgent motives for purity of heart and life. Lord, make us pure in
heart, that we may see Thee!