The Pure Heart: A Path to God's Presence and Blessing
Written by Susan Chan
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8
Have you ever thought about the condition of your heart? I don't mean just your physical heart, but your spiritual heart as well. A few months ago, I had a distressing experience due to a medical condition that made me reflect on the importance of both our physical and spiritual hearts.
I began experiencing chest pains that worried me deeply. They would strike unexpectedly, even in the middle of the night, leaving me fearing a heart attack. Concerned for my health, I decided to visit the emergency room and underwent numerous tests and ECGs. However, the medical team couldn't pinpoint a heart condition. I was later admitted for more invasive tests, including an angiogram.
During one of these procedures, something extraordinary happened. I had a vision of Jesus holding my heart in His hands, massaging, and soothing it. In that moment, I felt His peace and assurance that everything would be alright. After the angiogram, the doctor gave me the incredible news – there were no blockages in my heart arteries, and my heart was healthy. It was a divine touch, a healing experience that left me in awe of God's presence.
This experience taught me a valuable lesson – we must regularly check both our physical and spiritual hearts. Just as our physical heart can affect our health, our spiritual heart condition influences our effectiveness as Christian leaders and our impact on others.
In Scripture, the Greek word "kardia" often signifies the inner person, the control centre of our minds, emotions, and will. It shapes our attitudes, motivations, desires, convictions, and actions. Our hearts define who we are, and God values a pure and holy heart.
So, what does it mean to have a pure heart that pleases God? Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." A pure heart is characterized by integrity of character – no duplicity, no contradiction between thoughts, intentions, and actions. It's about being like Jesus even when no one is watching.
Another aspect is having an undivided heart, a single-minded pursuit of God's will. It's about seeking God wholeheartedly, just as David did when he wrote, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God" (Psalm 42:1,2). Today, the Church often lacks this level of passion and commitment.
To attain a pure heart, we must cooperate with God. He provides the spiritual heart transplant we need, cleansing us through the blood of Jesus. Our role is to keep our hearts pure through regular spiritual check-ups, seeking God when we notice symptoms of spiritual heart disease – apathy, indifference, or distraction from God.
We must also remove blockages – pride, unforgiveness, jealousy, and other impurities that hinder our spiritual vitality. Just as clogged arteries harm our physical hearts, these impurities harm our spiritual hearts. Ask the Holy Spirit to search our heart and cleanse it.
Let's pursue purity with diligence, for without a pure heart, we cannot fully experience God. Embrace the promise of Matthew 5:8. As our heart becomes pure, we'll see God's presence and blessing in every aspect of our life.
