Some people seek to equate purity of heart with purity of motive, as if pure motives would bring this blessing Jesus speaks of. There is teaching in Scripture about pure motives, but there’s danger in this perspective alone.

Take sincerity for instance. People may sincerely desire to honor God, their hearts totality committed to a religious path; their motives are upright. There is no hypocrisy – and yet in light of Romans 10:2-3, they’re not under God’s blessing.

The pure in heart are not blessed simply for having a pure heart, but rather they are open to the blessing that comes in the person (and work) of Jesus. Take Jesus out of the equation, and you take out the blessing also – regardless of how pure the heart’s motive. This was the Pharisee Saul’s situation prior to his conversion. He was sincere in his faith – but sincerely wrong, as Jesus made clear to him. Saul (later the Apostle Paul), saw this issue from both sides.

Pure and well-meaning motives, zeal included, can be based on an errant message. Many of us know sincere Muslims or Mormons for example, whose religion’s beliefs don’t line up with the Jesus of the Bible. Jesus Himself said: If you do not believe that I am he (who saves you from sin), you will indeed die in your sins (John 8:24).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I am under no delusions that I can purify my own heart. I come with a heart of repentance asking that You would purify me from my sins. I come in obedience to the call from God to confess my sins and I rejoice that through You I am forgiven. Thank You for such grace. And thank You for enabling it with Your very life. Help me to follow You all of my days. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Micro-Meditation Scripture

Psalm 119:97-104 (Mem, 13th letter)

97. Oh, how I love your law!
    I meditate on it all day long.
98. Your commands are always with me
    and make me wiser than my enemies.
99. I have more insight than all my teachers,
    for I meditate on your statutes.
100. I have more understanding
     than the elders,
     for I obey your precepts.
101. I have kept my feet from every evil path
     so that I might obey your word.
102. I have not departed from your laws,
     for you yourself have taught me.
103. How sweet are your words to my taste,
     sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104. I gain understanding from your precepts;
     therefore I hate every wrong path.
     

Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God

Proverbs 1:5

Let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance.

Psalm 1:2

[Blessed is the one] whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point

From the Psalmist’s perspective: God’s Word gives us a leg up on our enemies. Use it.

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