Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”(Matthew 5:8)

Here the Lord is obviously not speaking of the blood pump, but of the seat of one’s affections.  “Pure” means to be “clean” or “free from pollution”.  The Pharisees thought of clean hands, but Jesus insists on purity of heart.

Those who are clean in heart are totally transparent and have no selfish aims.  “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith”, (1 Timothy 1:5)  “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)  “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,” (2 Timothy 1:3).  Those who are pure in heart have no aim, but to serve the Lord.
  
For one to be pure in heart one must develop a spiritual mindset.  God urges us to control the desires of our fleshly body ( II Corinthians 6:16) by focusing on the inward man.   By cultivating a spiritual heart, one develops a keener sense of what is truly important which helps one to make wise decisions.

The pure in heart have replaced worldly ambitions with a complete devotion to God’s will.  The unclean heart of evil thoughts has been purged by a love for God and of those things that please Him.  It is a heart of single minded devotion to God.  

The pure in heart have developed a heavenly vision.  With such a vision, one treasures eternal things more than earthly things.  “To see God” literally means to gaze upon with wide opened eyes.  It carries the idea of fellowship or experience.  This vision should move us toward a moral likeness to God and greater empathy with His cause.  

Only the pure in heart will see God.  “Their hearts are free from defiling fantasies and are not distracted by conflicting desires and intentions.  They are wholly absorbed by the contemplation of God”.  (Dietrich Bonheoffer) 

By George Slover

"Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart." (Psalms 40:7-8)

The above expression is also repeated in Hebrews 10:7, 9.  The Hebrew writer applies these prophetic words to the sacrifice of Jesus.  These words not only describe the Lord’s willingness to be sacrificed for the redemption of man, but also describe every phase of his earthly existence!

The will of God was the chief thought of his heart.  At the tender age of twelve Jesus’ desire was to please God.   When Joseph and Mary found him in the temple in the midst of the teachers, his answer to them was, “"Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?" (Luke 2:49)  The heart of the Messiah was revealed (Matthew 3:15) at his baptism, at his temptation (Matthew 4:4), and on and on.  His daily, hourly work was to do the will of the Father.  (John 5:19)  

The will of God was the supreme joy of his heart.  It was because of his generous offering that man is given the opportunity of sanctification and salvation.  Because of his sinless life he perfectly filled up the plan of God for human redemption.  Without one charge of guilt against him, he suffered a criminal’s death.  This he did joyfully (Hebrews 12:2) knowing what it would accomplish.

As his disciples we are called to follow his steps. (I Peter 2:2)  The will of God must be our consuming passion.  No matter what we may suffer, we must do it joyfully knowing that our reward is in heaven.  (Matthew 5:11, 12)

George Slover

Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." (John 10:24)
 
Although the above request was most likely in jest, it is nonetheless an interesting one.  How often does anyone really desire straight-talk.  In our day of soft diplomacy the desire for reality is rare.  Most of our speech, especially in religious circles, is couched in diplomatic terms.   We call a used car a pre-owned car, and we call sin something besides what it is - sin!
 
Politicians and celebrities try their best to cover up the blemishes.  They try to remove the warts, birthmarks, and wrinkles.  They try to cover up the lies and false promises.  Remember President Clinton’s – “It all depends upon what is is?”  Vanity dies a hard death.
 
Would you be drawn to the message of the Bible?  There is no other book that tells it more like it is!  Jesus skipped the diplomacy for the sake of truth!  He called adultery, adultery and not an affair.  He called wine a mocker and homosexuality an abomination.  He condemned laziness and lying.  He made no excuses!
 
About the only time most  folks want plain talk is when they go to the doctor.  If it is a life threatening disease and causes much pain, they are ready for the cure no matter what!  Man’s greatest threat is sin!  Jesus, the physician, will tell you what the problem is and offer a solution.
 
So, open your life to the scrutiny of God’s word.  Acknowledge the transgression.  Make the commitment to do whatever God asks to remove it from your life.
 
By George Slove

Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. (Colossians 4:12)

In 1977 I began local work in Louisiana.  Among that small band of disciples was a young man I will never forget.  He was a devoted husband and father, a provider and spiritual protector of his family.  I remember him conducting his first Bible class with a red face, a gravel voice, and other obvious signs of being nervous.  But, what I most remember about him was his fervent prayers.

Epaphras, the servant of Christ who first brought the gospel to Colosee (Colossians 1:7,8), was also known for his earnest prayers.  Epaphras was a native of Colosee and one of three Gentiles mentioned at the end of this letter.  In this context Epaphras is in Rome with Paul and absent from those in Colosee,  but he has not forgotten them.  He is praying for them.

Paul reports that Epaphras is “laboring fervently” in prayer. (NKJV)  The NIV says “always wrestling in prayer”.  This is a word indicating patience, persistence, and intensity.  The spiritual warfare of the brethren was constantly weighing on his mind.  This kept him active in prayer.  This is a great commendation of this servant – that foremost in his heart was the well-being of the brethren.

The prayers of this wonderful servant were accompanied by zeal for other churches as well – Laodicea and Hierapolis.  (vs. 13) These neighboring churches were also exposed to the same perils as the church in Colosee.  This “great zeal” indicates deep anxiety and anguish.  Epaphras was deeply concerned about all three churches in the valley of Lycus. 

These churches were threatened by heresy.  The best defense against false doctrine is to be well- grounded and convicted in truth.  Thus, Epaphras prayed that the brethren might stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. (Colossians 4:12)  This should be the goal of every servant of Christ.  These deep rooted convictions will help them make good moral decisions and avoid doctrinal error.  

The church is in need of those like Epaphras and my friend from Louisiana.  Satan is constantly trying to destroy souls by leading them astray.  The greatest hindrance to Satan’s progress is those who will boldly proclaim God’s word and will go to their knees in prayer.  What about you?

By George Slover

 

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. (James 3:13)

There are some who aspire to be teachers (vs1) who are lacking the qualities that would make them successful.  The temptation to be a teacher arises from a false sense of wisdom.  Thus, the unwise may create an atmosphere of dogmatic disputation and wrangling.

Every teacher is tempted by arrogance and bitterness.  They are used to telling rather than listening.  When others oppose his long held beliefs, it is easy to become bitter.  If this attitude is zealously cultivated, one becomes more interested in wining the argument than in the victory of truth.

James says this kind of wisdom is “earthly, sensual, and devilish.”  Here is a wisdom that measures its success in worldly terms, and is attuned to fleshly rather than spiritual things.  Thus, it produces a devilish factious atmosphere.  It causes one to look with superior contempt on others.  Instead of peace and fellowship, it destroys relationships.  This sort of fellow will disrupt any Bible class or business meeting.

By contrast James says: there is “wisdom from above”.  It is not a product of this world, but is heavenly.  James (vs. 17) marks out seven qualities of this heavenly wisdom: 1) “pure” – i.e. morally chaste, 2) “peaceable” – i.e. not disposed to a fight, 3) “gentle” – one who knows how to forgive, when strict justice would give the right to condemn, 4) “willing to yield” – i.e. willing to listen and consider another’s point of view, 5) “full of mercy” – of pity for one who is in trouble, even if it is his own fault, 6) “without partiality” – one who will not change on a whim, but steadfast in conviction, 7) “without hypocrisy” – not pretentious, but honest.  These are the qualities of one qualified to teach.

Who is truly wise and understanding?  It is one whose life is characterized by good works coupled with a gentle spirit.  James says: Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:18)  Peace means a right relationship between man and man and an uninterrupted fellowship.  Only those who can sow the seeds will reap the rewards.  A church full of bitterness and strife has a barren soil in which righteousness will never grow.  However, a wise man will try to promote a more productive atmosphere.

By George Slover