Matthew 5:8 — “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
How can we be pure in heart? The Greek word for pure in tis verse means “clean, blameless, unstained from guilt” and can refer to things that have been purified by fire or by pruning. The only way for our hearts to be pure is to give them to Jesus.
John the Baptist said that Jesus would baptize not with water, but with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11). Our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29) and as we present ourselves as living sacrifices unto God (Romans 12:1), we subject ourselves to the refining power of God. The cross of Jesus consumes the old heart and gives us a new, pure one that is clean, blameless, and unstained by guilt (Ezekiel 36:26).
Jesus said that He is the vine and that we are the branches (John 15:5). The Father prunes the branches to make them fruitful. This speaks of the ongoing purification work of Christ in us through the Holy Spirit. We have been made pure by Christ’s sacrifice and we are being made pure in heart experientially in our daily lives.
Our hearts will become completely pure when we collapse into the loving embrace of Jesus after our long fight of faith. It will be glorious when our position in Christ and our experience with Christ become one. In the meantime, we can see God with the new heart He has given to us. Can’t you see God in the magnificence and mystery of His creation?Can’t you see God when you look into the shining faces of His people? Can’t you see God in the pages of His holy Word? Purify our hearts today, Lord. We want to see You!
11/08/2024 Devotional
"Jesus said that He is the vine and that we are the branches (John 15:5)."
It is essential that, as disciples, we remain connected to Jesus. If we fail to remain in Christ, Jesus tells us that we are like broken-off branches that wither and are picked up and thrown into the fire.
No one can serve God effectively until he is connected with Jesus Christ by faith. Jesus is our only connection with the God who gave life and who produces in us a fruitful life of righteousness and service.
"He is the vine and that I am the branch."
11/08/2024 묵상
"예수님은 자신이 포도나무이고 우리는 가지라고 말씀하셨습니다(요한복음 15:5)."
제자로서 우리가 예수님과 연결되어 있는 것이 필수적입니다. 우리가…