BEATITUDES # 6

Do you remember the moment you were saved, or the moment you knew Jesus should be in control of your life?

I remember mine vividly – fifty one years ago.

I didn’t really understand it at the time. I was seventeen and had not found my clear path to Christ. But, I did understand the Holy Spirit was inside me.

I was in church weekly, attended Sunday School, confirmation, and all the required steps I needed to meet at our church to be considered a believer.

RELIGION vs RELATIONSHIP

I knew a lot about religion but did not have a relationship with the Father.

That all changed that evening in an auditorium with several friends and cousins who sat with me as we watched a presentation that pierced my heart.

Was my life changed to the point of walking with Christ entirely?

Unfortunately, no.

But He made a way for me to run to Him in many times of distress. Times I did not understand how my life could be going downhill like it was.

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART FOR THEY WILL SEE GOD

Matthew 5:8 – continues with the Beatitudes as Jesus teaches during his Sermon on the Mount.

This blessing He makes, and all the others in this amazing sermon, tell us something special – God is more concerned with our hearts.

He wants to know us, to spend time with us.

So, what does it mean to be “pure in heart”?

Grand Canyon University’s online devotions explains it well –

“When we are presented with the concept of purity, often our minds are led straight to abstinence, sobriety or having a clean, sinless life. Though these things do accurately define purity, they are external purities. Jesus says “pure in heart,” which is referring to internal purity, once again showing His concern with our heart’s position.

Jesus doesn’t waste time speaking to our external lives because He knows that our hearts must first be changed. When we experience this heart shift, our behaviors, actions and external lives will also change as a result of it. Jesus wants our hearts to genuinely desire things that are pleasing to Him – then, our lives will reflect and produce things that are pleasing to Him.”

WE ALL STILL FAIL… BUT GOD!

And yes, just as I experienced, and you probably also, when we accept Jesus into our lives – we still fail.

BUT GOD!

He continues to forgive us – even through our failures. He loves us.

If our heart truly desires Him, we will continue to be changed by our desire to do God’s will.

We will stand boldly before others when we never thought we could.

We will serve mercy and grace to those who we think don’t deserve it, because – that is exactly what God does for us.

WE DON’T  DESERVE IT, BUT HE LOVES US THAT MUCH

When our hearts are changed we become second, even third and forth because Jesus is always first. Our heart will help us to become the servant that brings us humbly to the throne as we prepare to see God.

Thank You, Jesus for loving us, for teaching us and for showing us mercy and grace. In Jesus name. Amen