![]() The Psalmist poses THE question that should concern all of us. 5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. Psalm 24:3-5 – Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. It is not divided – “Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” ( James 4:4).ģ) Notice how the Psalmist points to the essentiality of this composite character. The pure heart is also described in scripture as a “whole” heart. It is free from ulterior motives or hidden agendas. 2:22 – ‘ Flee also youthful lusts but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”Ģ) A pure heart lives for the sole purpose of God. This person recognizes God’s ultimate right to determine right form wrong (clean from unclean) and strives to live up to God’s law. At the conclusion of our lesson last week we noticed two key elements of a pure heart:ġ) A pure heart lives to serve God. Last week we discussed the meaning of the key words in this verse: purity & heart. In the list of character traits commonly called the Beatitudes, Jesus says in Matthew 5:8 – 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Salem Web Network and Salem Media Group.Our attention is once again turned to Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount. Keep in mind, each of these words requires faith. If you don't know what your word is, today might be a great day for you to hear some of the things that we are promised in Christ that you in faith can claim for yourself for 2024. Have you ever chosen a word for the year? Whether you pick a word each year or never have before, I think this episode will help you order your life in the year to come. LISTEN: Let Our Bible Study Expert Help You Start the New Year Right! Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Olga_GavrilovaĬandice Lucey is a freelance writer from British Columbia, Canada, where she lives with her family. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and restore a steadfast spirit within me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. ![]() ![]() Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. A Psalm 51 Prayer for a Clean Heartīe gracious to me, O God, according to Your loving kindness according to the greatness of Your compassion, blot out my transgressions. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” ( Ezekiel 36:26). “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. What he, and all of us, actually need is a transplant. ![]() He desires to have his heart’s compass recalibrated so that North points to whatever delights the Almighty. This heart is not totally free of sin but longs to see God to love and to obey him.Īnd this is the purity of heart, which David longs for. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God” ( Matthew 5:8). By his wounds you have been healed” ( 1 Peter 2:24). “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. We can approach him without pure hearts desirous of purity because the Lord views believers through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ his pure sacrifice. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” ( Jeremiah 29:13). The Lord can change anyone, but Christians must turn to God and ask for a change to take place. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” ( 2 Peter 3:9). On the other hand, by the grace of God we can desire it can come to God seeking his new mercies every day ( Lamentations 3:22-23). What keeps us from God is real sin echoing in a condemning conscience.” John Piper explains, “We know that what keeps us away from God is not dirty hands or soiled clothes or distance from an altar or a priest.
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