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The Focus of Single-Mindedness

Purity of heart isn’t like meekness or spiritual poverty, which both sound undesirable but are actually beneficial for us. Having a pure heart probably sounds desirable to all of us. In fact, most of us probably think we have a pure heart—or at least have good intentions about most matters. But Jesus had something specific in mind when He chose the words pure in heart. 

When I read about being pure in heart, my first reaction is “That doesn’t sound like me,” and I suspect that may be your reaction as well. A pure heart sounds like such a lofty description. It’s easy to relate to Jesus when He says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (v. 3) and “Blessed are those who mourn” (v. 4). At least we can see ourselves in those situations. But when Jesus says, “Blessed are the pure in heart,” we might wonder whom He’s talking to. Can anyone really be pure in heart? The good news is that He really is talking about us, and we really can be pure in heart. 

How would you describe purity of heart? 

Jesus didn’t stop there. He tied purity of heart to something else that seems equally impossible: “They shall see God.” In the Old Testament Moses wanted to see the glory of God, so God told him to hide in a rock. God’s presence would pass by, but Moses would be allowed to see only the afterburn of God’s glory. God said, “You cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live” (Ex. 33:20). Yet here Jesus promises, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

It seems impossible to think we can be pure of heart and see God (see Exodus 33:18-23). We can’t imagine what it would be like to be pure of heart, it’s a dangerous thing to see God. But the apparent impossibility of seeing God and being purity of heart serves to reveal just how great a Savior Jesus Christ is.