The exciting news Jesus announced in this Beatitude is that purity is possible and it is within the reach of your faith!
This would be a purity far removed from "white-washed tombs" or "cups clean on the outside", this will be a purity of heart and mind! This will cause every motivation to be shaped by love. This "pure in heart" promise is worth a closer look:
“pure” = the Greek word from which we get “catharsis,” which means “to make pure by cleansing from dirt, filth,
or contamination” and was most often used to describe metals that had been
refined by fire until they were free from impurities. It was also used for
soiled clothes that had been washed clean, and of grain that had been carefully
sifted to remove all impurities"
Second,
it refers to being “unmixed, as having no double allegiance.”
The
Message paraphrase: “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and
heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.” The emphasis here
is on what’s inside us.”
Jesus
didn’t come to REFORM you, He came to totally TRANSFORM you from the inside
out.
He
made that clear when He stated:
“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of
the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20
Examples:
God
isn’t satisfied with a world where murders don’t happen. He demands a world
where there is no hatred:
“You
have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and
whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But
I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall
be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be
in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of
hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there
remember that your brother has something against you, leave
your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your
brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree
with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your
adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and
you be thrown into prison." Matthew 5:21-25
Someone who is in a committed relationship
with Jesus doesn’t hate his brother and is very careful not to give others a
reason to hate him.
God’s Passion for Purity isn’t satisfied with a world where adultery doesn’t happen. He demands a world where there is no lustful thinking.
“You
have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for
her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from
you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than
for your whole body to be cast into hell. And
if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from
you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than
for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:27-30
Someone who is in a committed relationship
with Jesus doesn’t entertain himself with lustful thoughts. Someone who loves a
pure God keeps his thoughts pure.
What motivates your thoughts, desires and actions?
Do they pass the purity test?