A Pure Heart

 

Success in our prayer-life as we have seen, is connected to a pure heart.  Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

Paul wrote to Timothy about a pure heart, a good conscience, and a faith unfeigned (a true faith, one that is real – I Timothy 1:5).  He mentions a pure heart again in II Timothy 2:22. The follower of Christ is called to resist temptation and to go even further – to hate sin and to reject it in all forms.

If we are to get answers to our prayers, we must develop a heart for righteousness.  This is the key to spiritual power.  We will experience His response to our needs when we learn to hate evil and love righteousness.

I Peter 1:13-16 stresses obedience and alertness to temptation, and teaches us to be holy as God is holy in all aspects of our life.  Holy is the Greek word “haigios”, it means: separated unto God, set apart, saintly.

Jesus doesn’t want girlfriends! He has a bride.  You and I are a part of that bride. We are to be pure in our hearts before Him.  Let us determine not to participate in sinful practices (I Thessalonians 5:22).  Let’s guard our tongues against gossip and slander.  Let’s stay away from bars and dance clubs.  Let’s not consume alcoholic beverages.  Let’s not forsake our vows.  Let’s be honest, treat people fairly, pay our bills, honor our commitments, invest in God’s Kingdom and admit it when we fail.

God is rich in mercy! He will forgive and pardon if we will seek to be pure in our heart before Him.  Let’s take it to the next level and pursue personal godliness.  


The Pastor's Pocket

Pastor Bruce Freeman

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