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The Pure in Heart to Reflect Christ, December 30
He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the
king as his friend.—
Proverbs 22:11
, R.S.V.
Into the City of God there will enter nothing that defiles. All who are to be
dwellers there will here have become pure in heart. In one who is learning of
Jesus, there will be manifest a growing distaste for careless manners, unseemly
language, and coarse thought. When Christ abides in the heart, there will be purity
and refinement of thought and manner.
But the words of Jesus, “Blessed are the pure in heart,” have a deeper
meaning—not merely pure in the sense in which the world understands purity,
free from that which is sensual, pure from lust, but true in the hidden purposes
and motives of the soul, free from pride and self-seeking, humble, unselfish,
childlike....
To hearts that have become purified through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit,
all is changed. These can know God. Moses was hid in the cleft of the rock when
the glory of the Lord was revealed to him; and it is when we are hid in Christ that
we behold the love of God.
“He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be
his friend” (
Proverbs 22:11
). By faith we behold Him here and now. In our daily
experience we discern His goodness and compassion in the manifestation of His
providence.... The pure in heart see God in a new and endearing relation, as their
Redeemer; and while they discern the purity and loveliness of His character, they
long to reflect His image. They see Him as a Father longing to embrace a repenting
son, and their hearts are filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
The pure in heart discern the Creator in the works of His mighty hand, in the
things of beauty that comprise the universe. In His Written Word they read in
clearer lines the revelation of His mercy, His goodness, and His grace....
The beauty and preciousness of truth, which are undiscerned by the worldly-
wise, are constantly unfolding to those who have a trusting, childlike desire to
know and to do the will of God. We discern the truth by becoming, ourselves,
partakers of the divine nature.
The pure in heart live as in the visible presence of God during the time He
apportions them in this world. And they will also see Him face to face in the future,
immortal state, as did Adam when he walked and talked with God in Eden. “Now
we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face” (
1 Corinthians 13:12
).—
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 24-27
.
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