pure heart, not divided

8/8/2019 Pure Heart, Not Divided

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PURE IN HEART

Fully devoted to Loving God

with every part of our lives.

Not divided

"Pure Heart, not Divided"

Purity in heart is everything. Jesus has said,

"Blessed are the pure in heart,for they shall see God."

(Matthew 5:8).

Everything in our lives rotate around the glory of God, whether we know it or not.

This is much like our lives which rotate and live around the light and influence of thesun. We might not pay any attention to the sun, but it greatly influences our lives.

However, we are not content to let the marvel and glory of God to pass us by withoutabiding in it. We want to make those steps forward to see God. This pathway is called

purity.

Purity of heart is an examination of our lives at the heart level. Righteousnessdescribes our activities; fear of God touches our attitudes and behaviors, but purity

speaks about the way we utilize our heart. In a sense, it is the most strategic of allexaminations. For the loyalties of the heart betray the weaknesses of ones life. The evil one knows those weaknesse

He sees our hesitations. He doesn't tempt us right away. Often he lets us become leaders and have greater influenceothers and then tempts us.

I once had an old caviler wagon. At one point the engine block had a crack in it. I had to have it replaced. This was

still cheaper than a new used car. But would you know it, after several years, the new part developed the same crackWhat could I do? No one else made replacement parts. I had to buy another new block with a flaw in it! This would

be like getting a heart transplant with a heart that had a problem.

Many people do not understand that with God's grace we can become pure in heart. He operates at that heart level acan help us eliminate those fissures that produce character flaws in our lives. How unfortunate so many of us have n

pursued a pure heart.

We hope through this series to work with you on how to gain a pure heart and find the freedom and joy from seeingGod. Our modern age specializes in distraction - call it entertainment. All of the world has to offer is pale in light o

God's wondrous glory.

FUNCTIONAL DEFINITION of PURE in HEART


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The pure of heart have a devoted and singularity of heart which enables them to disregard distractions which call

them away from their main mission to supremely love God.

We will now go on a journey not only explaining what a pure heart is and the reward of having one, but the necessi

of having a pure heart and the steps to gaining one. We hope this series becomes part of that path for you. Please

share our materials with others!

Here is a short index. Click the blue circle to get to a certain page. They follow in order or just click here fothe next page.

Pure Heart -Espaol Intro and Table of Contents

Seeking a pure heart The LORD looks at the heart

Reward of a pure heart Climb to the different mountain tops to see God's glory!

Need of a pure heart Why does God hold back His glory from man?

An Unbeliever's Heart What's so wrong with our heart anyway?

Need of a new heart Finding a new heart

A Believer's Heart What happens to our heart when we become a Christian?

Our Stained Purity If we have a new heart, then why all the problems?!

A Fragmented Heart How can we detect our heart's desires?

Spiritual Heart Checkup A small quiz.

A Hardened Heart What is one of the greatest causes of being burned-out?

Finishing Well Our Solution

Testimonies Sharing on seeking purity

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#1 Righteousness, not Compromise

#2 Fear God, not Man


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PURE IN HEART



Not divided

Understanding our Heart

Seeking a pure Heart

In order to have a pure heart, we must seek for it. We must want it. Without desiring to be pure, we will tend to despiseinstead of treasure the Lord's teaching on this most crucial topic.

Our goal is a pure heart, unblemished by the world. A pure object is clean and without impurities. A pure heart has no

divisions, no other purposes or causes. No distractions from its devoted goal.

We need to understand that we were designed to have the Lord as our chief affection.

Anything less than this is sin and rebellion. Anything that distracts us from the Lord are

idols.

Purity of heart goes beyond outward conformity right to the very core of our affections andchoices. Many a pastor or parent might be content with only the conservative shaping of

their followers' activities. The Lord however looks at the heart.

"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height

of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God [sees] not as man sees, for

man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart ." I

Samuel 16:7

In this sense, we have a near impossible job ahead of us. For who can know the heart. From our early years, we

have but foolishness in our hearts. Pr 22:15* Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child." More than this isthe fact that only God really knows our hearts.

"Forgive, and render to each according to all his ways, whose heart Thou knowest for Thou alone dost knowthe hearts of the sons of men,"( 2 Chronicles 6:30)

"The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9)


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However, by the Spirit's work, we should as His children be able to affirm our heart's cleanness to some

measure. John says, "Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God." (1 John 3:21)

We are desperate for God to initiate and maintain a heart for Him. "And I will give them a heart to know Me,for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, forthey will return to Me with their

whole heart." (Jeremiah 24:7)

Let's now describe the reward of gaining a pure heart. =>

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tBiblical Foundations for Freedom

#3 The Beatitudes: Pure in Heart Matthew 5:8

PURE IN

HEART



Not divided

Glory of Pure Heart

Glory of Purity: Seeing God

We want to see God.

When are hearts are pure, then we will always desire a view of God. Those whose

eyes are not fixed on the Lord and His kingdom are worldly. Their hopes are storedhere on earth. Those, however, who have purified their hearts from earthly distractio

will find their whole life oriented around meeting and knowing God. Throughout thscriptures we read of numerous 'mountain experiences' from which we can gain a

glorious expectation of what meeting God might be like. Have you visited all thesemountains before? Which meeting places are your favorites?


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We do not understand everything written. For example, we have the casual side of meeting God versus the fearsomrevelation of His glory. How is it that Adam and Eve seemed to go for a casual walk with the Lord when we see the

angels desperately covering themselves with their wings? Why is it that we see Moses have a stimulatingconversation with the LORD while we see Daniel humbled and exhausted before the LORD?

Perhaps if we attempted to answer these questions, they would only distract us from what our heart yearns for. Join

with me in this earthly journey where we might have glimpses of God and eagerly anticipate the most splendid andfascinating sight of God when Christ returns!

Mount Sinai Mount Zion Isaiah's Vision Ezekiel's Vision Daniel's Vision

Exodus 33.13-23

"Now therefore, I

pray Thee, if Ihave found favor

in Thy sight, letme know Thy

ways, that I mayknow Thee, so

that I may findfavor in Thy

sight. Considertoo, that this

nation is Thypeople." And Hesaid, "My

presence shall gowith you, and I

will give yourest." Then he

said to Him, "IfThy presence

does not go withus, do not lead us

up from here."For how then

can it be known

that I have foundfavor in Thysight, I and Thy

people? Is it notby Thy going

with us, so thatwe, I and Thy

people, may bedistinguished

from all the otherpeople who are

Hebrews 12:22-29

But you have come to

Mount Zion and to thecity of the living God,

the heavenlyJerusalem, and to

myriads of angels, tothe general assembly

and church of the first-born who are enrolled

in heaven, and to God,the Judge of all, and to

the spirits of righteousmen made perfect, andto Jesus, the mediator

of a new covenant, andto the sprinkled blood,

which speaks betterthan the blood of Abel.

See to it that you donot refuse Him who is

speaking. For if thosedid not escape when

they refused him whowarned them on earth,

much less shall we

escape who turn awayfrom Him who warnsfrom heaven. And His

voice shook the earththen, but now He has

promised, saying,"YET ONCE MORE I

WILL SHAKE NOTONLY THE EARTH,

BUT ALSO THEHEAVEN." And this

Isaiah 6:1-8

In the year of King

Uzziah's death, I sawthe Lord sitting on a

throne, lofty andexalted, with the train

of His robe filling thetemple. Seraphim

stood above Him, eachhaving six wings; with

two he covered hisface, and with two he

covered his feet, andwith two he flew. Andone called out to

another and said,"Holy, Holy, Holy, is

the LORD of hosts,The whole earth is full

of His glory." And thefoundations of the

thresholds trembled atthe voice of him who

called out, while thetemple was filling with

smoke. Then I said,

"Woe is me, for I amruined! Because I am aman of unclean lips,

And I live among apeople of unclean lips;

For my eyes have seenthe King, the LORD of

hosts." Then one of theseraphim flew to me,

with a burning coal inhis hand which he had

Ezekiel 1:4-14

And as I looked,

behold, a storm windwas coming from the

north, a great cloudwith fire flashing forth

continually and abright light around it,

and in its midstsomething like

glowing metal in themidst of the fire. And

within it there werefigures resemblingfour living beings. And

this was theirappearance: they had

human form. Each ofthem had four faces

and four wings. Andtheir legs were straight

and their feet were likea calf's hoof, and they

gleamed like burnishedbronze. Under their

wings on their four

sides were humanhands. As for the facesand wings of the four

of them, their wingstouched one another;

their faces did not turnwhen they moved,

each went straightforward. As for the

form of their faces,each had the face of a

Daniel 7:9-14

"I kept looking Unti

thrones were set up,And the Ancient of

Days took His seat;His vesture was like

white snow, And thehair of His head like

pure wool. His thronwas ablaze with

flames, Its wheelswere a burning fire.

"A river of fire wasflowing And comingout from before Him

Thousands uponthousands were

attending Him, Andmyriads upon myria

were standing beforHim; The court sat,

And the books wereopened. "Then I kep

looking because ofthe sound of the

boastful words whic

the horn wasspeaking; I keptlooking until the bea

was slain, and itsbody was destroyed

and given to theburning fire. "As for

the rest of the beaststheir dominion was

taken away, but anextension of life wa


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upon the face ofthe earth?" And

the LORD said toMoses, "I will

also do this thingof which you

have spoken; foryou have found

favor in Mysight, and I have

known you byname." Then

Moses said, "Ipray Thee, show

me Thy glory!"And He said, "I

Myself will makeall My goodness

pass before you,

and will proclaimthe name of theLORD before

you; and I will begracious to

whom I will begracious, and

will showcompassion on

whom I willshow

compassion." ButHe said, "You

cannot see Myface, for no man

can see Me andlive!" Then the

LORD said,"Behold, there is

a place by Me,and you shall

stand there on the

rock; and it willcome about,while My glory

is passing by,that I will put

you in the cleft ofthe rock and

cover you withMy hand until I

have passed by.

expression, "Yet oncemore," denotes the

removing of thosethings which can be

shaken, as of createdthings, in order that

those things whichcannot be shaken may

remain. Therefore,since we receive a

kingdom which cannotbe shaken, let us show

gratitude, by which wemay offer to God an

acceptable service withreverence and awe; for

our God is aconsuming fire.

(Hebrews 12:22-29).

taken from the altarwith tongs. And he

touched my mouthwith it and said,

"Behold, this hastouched your lips; and

your iniquity is takenaway, and your sin is

forgiven." Then Iheard the voice of the

Lord, saying, "Whomshall I send, and who

will go for Us?" ThenI said, "Here am I.

Send me!" (Isaiah 6:1-8).

man, all four had theface of a lion on the

right and the face of abull on the left, and all

four had the face of aneagle. Such were their

faces. Their wingswere spread out above;

each had two touchinganother being, and two

covering their bodies.And each went straight

forward; wherever thespirit was about to go,

they would go, withoutturning as they went.

In the midst of theliving beings there was

something that looked

like burning coals offire, like torchesdarting back and forth

among the livingbeings. The fire was

bright, and lightningwas flashing from the

fire. And the livingbeings ran to and fro

like bolts of lightning.(Ezekiel 1:4-14).

granted to them for appointed period of

time. "I kept lookingin the night visions,

And behold, with thclouds of heaven On

like a Son of Man wcoming, And He

came up to theAncient of Days An

was presented beforHim. "And to Him

was given dominionGlory and a kingdom

That all the peoples,nations, and men of

every language Migserve Him. His

dominion is an

everlasting dominioWhich will not passaway; And His

kingdom is oneWhich will not be

destroyed. (Daniel7:9-14).


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"Then I will takeMy hand away

and you shall seeMy back, but My

face shall not beseen." (Exodus

33:13-23).

How can we stop with only five accounts?! Can we neglect Jesus' transfiguration or resurrection? Or what about th

glorious vision of Christ in Revelation 1!? The great throne scene in Revelations 4-5 awes everyone. There are manmore passages encouraging us, yes even exhorting us, to cast our vision on the Lord.

If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hanof God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:1-2).

And he *said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. "Let the one who

does wrong, still do wrong; and let the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is rigtheous, still practi

righteousness, and let the one who is holy, still keep himself holy." (Revelation 22:10-11).

And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His

power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who havebelieved--for our testimony to you was believed. To this end also we pray for you always that our God may count y

worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power; in order that the namof our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus

Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:9-12).

See how great a love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. Fthis reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it

has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall Him just as He is.And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.(1 John 3

3).

Our desire to see God in the future is a strong driving force to know and be like Him now. The Lord wants to reveaHis glorious self to us. Are we waiting? Are we running after Him? Continue on to find why God only reveals

Himself to those who are pure in heart? =>

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory

blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty,

dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25).

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PURE IN HEART



Not divided

The Need of a Pure Heart

Why can't everyone see God if He is so great?!This is the question of the mocker and the ignorant. Jesus said only the pure in heart can see Him. The Pharisees of

demanded a sign from Jesus to prove His glory. Jesus never gave them a sign. They couldn't even see the ones that

were all around Him. God's glory and love were all about them, but they were like the blind. They simply cannot sethe sun. The blind has no sight to receive the light input. Those that are impure of heart just cannot see the presenceGod.

We would be fooled to think that anyone even with impure hearts would want to see God. We have numerousscriptures that speak of those who have impure hearts that begin to approach God's presence. Each time judgment

comes. Each time great fear grips their hearts. If God hides His glory, it is because of His great mercies. He 'hides'Himself through their darkened eyes (Romans 11:10), darkened heart (Romans 1:21), and darkened understanding

(Ephesians 4.18). God of course is not the one who is really hiding. Man just cannot see God.

Why doesn't man see God?

God gives what people seek. Man does not seek God. They are content with their world of mud. They want nothingGod's glorious person.

Also we find that man purposely avoids God so that he can maintain his inferior lifestyle.

"And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; fotheir deeds were evil. "For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds

should be exposed. (John 3:18-20).

Is the light present? Yes. But man avoids the light, thus insuring their judgment.

What about the Christian?Jesus was not carelessly tossing out words in the Beatitudes. We might think that these truths only applied to non-

Christans, but they certainly have their application for the Christian.

1. Not all Christians are pure in heart. We should know this by fact if not by experience. Some Christians towith sin as a cat plays with a mouse in its paws. They have become God's child, but yet in one or more area

of their lives make compromises. These impurities hold them back from purity. Those men who claim to knGod and yet tolerate sin in their lives are fooling themselves, whether they be a Christian leader or not.


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2. Christians hide their sin too. They get what they desire. Why give them what they do not want. Jesus spokabout the foolishness of giving what was holy to those who do not desire or understand such things. "Do nogive what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their fee

and turn and tear you to pieces. (Mt 7:6) In a similar vein, Jesus often spoke parables rather than the directtruth.

Why do we need a pure heart to see God?

There are two parts to this answer.

y God's glorious presence is around us.y Man's sins hides God's glorious presence

Let's now see why God show Himself to the good person or the one who tries hard to be good. =>



PURE IN HEART



Not divided

Understanding our Natural Heart

God is our spiritual cardiologist. He helps us get a perspective and analysis of our hearts that we could not otherwis

get. Many Christians have a difficult time being joyful in the Lord because they do not understand how desperatelythey needed the Lord. The scriptures say that we all once were spiritually dead.

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of thisworld, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

(Ephesians 2:1-2).

Now it is true this verse doesn't explicitly mention the heart. He only says we were dead. I believe what this means that we as unbelievers had no life in our heart to respond to spiritual things. We had no affections for God. Later on

Ephesians, Paul speaks more clearly, this time speaking of a blind or callous heart. They just are unable to perceivespiritual things.


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This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that yehenceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the

vanity of their mind, Having the understandingdarkened, being alienated from the life of God

through the ignorance that is in them, because ofthe blindness of their heart:Who being past

feeling have given themselves over untolasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with

greediness. (KJV Ephesians 4:17-19).

Our heart was caught in a web of defilement. It

could only produce what we know is wrong andevil. John speaks of three means the old heart

works to produce its evil work.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh

and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride oflife, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

(1 John 2:16).

Note how Jesus clearly condemns the heart and allit produces. "Forout of the heart come evil

thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts,false witness, slanders." (Matthew 15:19)

The apostle Paul finds agreement too.

"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality idolatry, sorcery, enmities, str

jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these,

which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdomof God." (Galatians 5:19-21)

Please note that I have interchanged flesh with heart. We see Jesus and Paul speaking the same description, but Jesu

uses heart and Paul uses the flesh. Is there any difference? We discover that when describing the evil aspect of ourhearts, then flesh is an equivalent term for heart. However, if we speak of the spiritual affect of the new heart, then

must speak of the spirit (Spirit) {see Galatians 5:22-23}.

If we are unclear about the desperate condition of our old heart, then we as His children will be less touched by Hisextraordinary grace and often falter in our Christian lives. What is the most necessary item in order to seek God? Se

the next page.




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PURE IN HEART



Not divided

Gaining a New Heart

If Christians cannot have their heart changed, then there is no essential difference between Christianity and other religions. It is only a mat

of reform and comparison. But the words and works of Christ give us reason to think differently.

Remember when Jesus spoke to Nicodemus? Jesus said to him, "You must be born again."

Nicodemus with all his wealth, prestige and power in the city of Jerusalem needed a new start. He needed a new life, a

new heart. Cultural Christianity is the Christianity without the new life. People are 'born' into the faith rather than

believe into the faith. (Of course this can't really happen -John 1:13)! They have the teaching without the power. They

are the world inside, but Christianity on the outside. The world can't stand this type of Christianity that offers so much

but has nothing to give. All they see is people claiming to live for God but really living for themselves. (Jude 10-16).These so-called Christians more than often wish they were in the world. If you could see them daydreaming: you

would see them rushing along in the marathon to get the most out of the world.

How about you? What is your heart loving? I think if we are honest most people would admit that they do not

seriously want things to change. You might catch them complaining about life and their lot, but ask them if they want

to change! They have chosen what they have. They love their choices. If they could change things, they would only

want more of what they have! They really do prefer it.

And it is this deepest affection of our lives - our soul hearts - that we need to focus on today. Jesus spoke to

Nicodemus that he needed a new heart. Jesus was referring to the new life with its new affections. The Old Testament

called it "circumcision of heart;" the New Testament called it a "new heart."

But as manyas received

Him, to themHe gave the

right tobecome

children ofGod, even to

those whobelieve in Hi

name, whowere born no

of blood, norof the will of

the flesh, norof the will of

man, but ofGod. (John

1:12-13).

"Thatwhich

isborn

of theflesh

isflesh,

andthat

whichis

born


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This is so elementary but so needed. Without a heart that loves God, our religion and worship will come from our oldhearts, and we will still love our selves. An excellent example is the time that Moses ascended Mt. Sinai to get the Law

Without Moses and his consciousness of God, they merely made a replica of a bull-like god and participated in sensual

'spiritual' pleasures. One can be part of a movement of God, but not really be of it.

We need a pure heart to seek for God. The first step in gaining a new heart is to be 'born again.' With a new life we have

new heart. Can you mark a point in time when you had a change of heart for the things of God? Can you say right now,

deep in your heart that you have a great longing for the things of God? I am not denying that you might be battling som

sin right now. Go deeper. Can you hold on to a desire for God? If not, I suggest that you need first to get a new heart fro

God.

Without life, we cannot train a child to walk or talk. Without a new life, we should not expect those things that only a new life can provideyou haven't yet become a 'born again' Christian, then begin to seek the Lord for His heart born in your life. Humble your heart. Tell Him oyour sins and your deserving instant judgment. Beg mercy and plead for faith to believe that Jesus Christ has died for your own sins too.

When we believe, the Holy Spirit works through the new heart.

Click here for further information oremail me information on the new life. Don't worry about whether your you have good English.

Look at the next page to discover the reason we are impure even though we have a new heart? =>



Please contact Paul at [email protected]

with any questions or suggestions.

of theSpirit

isspirit."

(John3:6).

PURE INHEART



Not divided

The Believer's Heart


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From the verse on the left (Mark 12:30) we discover that a pure heart requires every bit of affection that we have -

with all our heart. If this is not clear, Jesus mentions all our soul, all our mind and all our strength. Purity means 'ridimpurities.' Or in this case, we have one chief love and nothing divides or distracts our attention from it.

God has designed us to serve Him from a pure heart. We are not saying this is ea

In fact, we have explained that it is impossible without God. At the same time,though, we should not make any excuses for our lack of affection for Him. His lo

and faithfulness has not lessened a bit. The problem is with us. We understand ththe Lord is looking for that person who has a pure heart.

Upon our salvation, we gain a new heart born from the Spirit. TheSpirit keeps this new source of affection alive. From this new heart

spring forth all sorts of desires to serve and love God. This in turnhelps us to care for others.

The Old Testament gives us is very clear picture of this process by the phrase 'circumcision of the

heart.' We can understand that the hardness originally covering our hearts actually separated us fromeverything that was good and spiritual. We were a world to ourselves. We could not see beyond this

world nor did we desire to do so. The Holy Spirit, though, in regenerating our hearts actually cuts thisfold of skin away and exposes our hearts before Him, making us very vulnerable.

"Circumcise then your heart, and stiffen your neck no more. (Deuteronomy 10:16)."Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to

love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live.(Deuteronomy 30:6).

The new heart then frees us to respond to the things of the Spirit. We are brought into contact with the things of Go

and therefore can respond to them. In the new birth a whole new creature comes awake with the intrusion of the Spupon our lives. We will come back to this hardening for it is here the Christian struggles in his Christian growth.

However, let me conclude this section with a more thorough description of what happens by the most famousAmerican theologian, Jonathan Edwards. If you can stay with words (older English), you will greatly benefit from

description of what happens when a person becomes a Christian from the perspective of the heart.

"Before, spiritual filth had the possession of the heart, corruption had theentire government of the soul, every faculty was so wholly defiled by it, thatall its acts were filthy, and only filthy, the heart was entirely enslaved to sin.

But now the power of sin is broken, the strong bands by which it was tiedand fastened to the heart are in a great measure loosed, so that corruptionhas no longer the possession and the government of the heart as before.

The principal seat, the throne of the heart, that was formerly possessed bycorruption, is now purged, and filthiness does now as it were only possessthe inferior and exterior parts of the soul." "Jesus said to him, "He who hasbathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you areclean, but not all of you." (John 13:10)."

Jonathan Edward sermon on "Blessed are the pure in spirit. "Banner ofTruth's, "The Words of Jonathan Edwards", vol 2, p. 911.

But thegoal of ou

instructiois love fro

a pure heaand a goo

consciencand a

sincerefaith. (1

Timothy1:5).


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Let us go on now and get yet more practical. For which of us feel confident that his worship of God utilizes his totaperson? We have a new heart, and yet we find ourselves committing sin. Why do we have a divided heart? Are we

still unbelievers or are we weak Christians? How can we get a pure heart to worship our great God? Continue on!

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PURE IN

HEART



Not divided

Don't we have a pure heart?

Why do we still do wrong things?

Those with a pure heart will be one-hearted. God gives us a new heart upon salvation, but it is up to us to

live by the motivation of that new spiritual heart once we believe. We often hear about the process of dying

to oneself but are not very clear to its meaning. One can identity its essential components. We can find theseprinciples clearly taught throughout Romans 6-8 and Galatians 5.

y We acknowledge that we can live by motivations other than by the new life God has given to us.y We disavow any loyalty to those desires.y We decide not to live by them. (This is the moment of 'dying.')y We affirm that we will live by the knowledge and impulses of the new spiritual heart and the

scriptures.

Purity of heart speaks of the need to affirm to fully devote oneself to living after that new heart that the Lordhas given to us. This refers to our motivations, purposes and desires. Perhaps clarifying the picture of an

impure heart will help.

The heart stands for what I call 'soul affection.' We are speaking of those things to which we are devoted.Impure hearts refer to different affections or desires that motivate individuals. When we speak of a love for

something, this "love" is the affection. The object they love is the target of this affection such as money. It is


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from the heart through which devotion or commitment springs forth.

Christians often think that becoming a Christian means no longer having such idolatrous affections present.

This is not true. Let us say what is true about a Christian:

o As a non-Christian, we were bound to live by our old heart (flesh) - "slaves of sin." (Romans 6:20)o We now have a new heart which desires the things of God. (Romans 6:10-11)o The old heart no longer has its own right to rule over us. (Romans 6:6-7)o The old heart can rule over us if we decide to serve it. (Romans 6:12-13)o We will be tempted by the old flesh/heart. (Romans 7:15)o We will even feel as if we have to serve the old heart. (Romans 7:21)o The Holy Spirit always enables us to live by the new heart. (Romans 8:2, 6,26)

The implications are obvious. We personally are liable for our obedience.

We cannot blame our old heart from controlling us - "It made me do it!"

Nor can we fault the new heart from not helping us out - "I couldn't help it."

Our sin is ours and no one else to blame.

y If we are growing slowly, it is because we have decided to regularly give in toour own flesh.

y If we are growing fast, it is because we have devoted ourselves to live by theSpirit. (Gal 5:25).

We are not saying that we have not committed ourselves to living for the Lord.

Becoming a Christian is the decision to follow Him and none other. It is as Galatians5:24 says, "Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its

passions and desires."

One author has said, "We grow as much as we want." This is so revealing. We havein our lives what we wanted. We are reaping what we have sown. We don't have

what we don't want. Here our free will comes into play. The question is will we whoare liberated by God's precious Son and empowered by the Holy Spirit going to live

for God?

My hope is that in the following pages that we actually seek those things which haveheld us back. Stare at them. Expose their barrenness. Cut off our devotion to such desires. Reject them. And

use that newly released compacity to gain a pure heart to follow harder after the Lord. Let us see how to dothis. =>

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"But thanks

be to Godthat thoughyou were

slaves ofsin, you

became

obedient

from theheart to

that form ofteaching to

which youwere

committed."(Romans

6:17).


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PURE IN

HEART



Not divided

The Fragmented Heart

Impurity in our hearts can be detected by our different affections (things we like and desire). Since the heart

produces these affections, we know our hearts are affected when we have desires other than pleasing our

Lord.

We will return to the art of detecting these other desires later. For now, let us use one illustration that can

help us understand what is going on in our hearts. I will be using the phrase 'fragmentedheart' to describe what happens when we have more than one chief desire. (1) The term

fragment' comes from the breaking apart of one whole heart into pieces.

If our heart is divided from a pure affection to please God, thenour hearts are fragmented. Each fragment of the heart is reserved by us for

different purposes. We have dedicated different parts of our affections topursue those things we like, desire and choose.

Because our hearts are hidden away deep in the recesses of our heart, we have

a difficult time analyzing our hearts for weaknesses. However, we can detectour greatest affections. They show themselves through our activities and

choices in daily life. These affections reveal our hearts' devotion and support for those particular areas ofour lives.

In the illustration to our left, we have three main affections in our life. The center one is the chief

controlling area of the Christian. This is the new heart that is responsive to the Lord and His Spirit. Theother two areas are differently focused as seen in the different direction of the arrows. This heart is

fragmented. We would expect to find in his life that he is pursuing three main goals.

Lukewarmness comes from having many smaller parts which choke

out real affection for the Lord.

Let us develop this example a bit further to better illustrate how this works.

When we love something, it means we place it as a priority over otherthings. Love for cars means that because one loves cars, he gives a lot of

time, talk and money to cars. Love for family means that he gives a lot oftime, talk and money to family. Love for God means that he gives a lot of

time, talk and money to God and His concerns.


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God has told us that our love for God must take priority in our lives (Mark 12:30), "AND YOU SHALLLOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND

WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH." (Mark 12:30). In the example to theright, we will need to eliminate our love for cars and family so to gain a pure love for God.

We often are blind or deaf to our different loves because down deep in our hearts we know God is not

pleased with these other affections. We don't want to admit their existence because we don't want God totake them away! More than often we will distract people and ourselves by focusing on the problems of

others who have a like sin. However, even if we have read this far, we will still fight Jesus' command byprotecting our right to these other loves. We need to clarify what is and is not meant by these loves and

affections.

Jesus is asking that we do not fragment our heart's affection in different directions but to give Him ourwhole heart. This is emphasized by the alls:

y all your hearty all your souly all your mind, andy all your strength."

This means that we can not put any other objects, in this supreme place.

Negatively, this means that we cannot do anything that would cause us not to follow all of Hiscommands.

Positively it means, that we take all the other responsibilities, gifts and interests we have to loveGod.

No matter how much we love our families or cars, we must place them second to our love for God.

Anytime, we see that we put our desires above what God has, then we are committing spiritual adultery.

Let me give you two examples.

Can we be a car hobbyist?

Cars take up a lot of time,money and room. Have you

held back from what God wants youto do? Let's take two tests?

The Willing TestIf Christ speaks to your heart to giveup those cars, are you ready to at a

moment's notice to give them up? Weshould not collect anything if we

sense any unwillingness to notimmediately give it up if Christ asks

us.

The Scriptural TestDo our activities contradict what thescriptures actually teach? We first

Can we be family focused?

Care for the family is seen as a great need today.Many would strongly argue that loving the

family is loving God. In one sense, it is.However, we need to be clear as to what we

mean.

Clearly the Lord wants all our chief affections.How then does this work out for our family

whom we are commanded to greatly love andcare for? We are saying that your allegiance to

God must be stronger than that to your family.Obedience to God must not be threatened

because of your affection for your wife andchildren.

Examples of Violations


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find a relevant passage and see if we

have gone out of our way to obey it.

"But whoever has the world's goods,

and beholds his brother in need and

closes his heart against him, how doesthe love of God abide in him?" (1

John 3:17)

By what concrete steps have youshown a great love for your poor andpersecuted brothers and sisters? Some

of our brothers and sisters around theworld are in need of money to live

and would greatly benefit some smallcapital to start a family business. (2)

y Allow your children to watch uncleanmovies.

y Use birth control to 'guarantee' more foryour family.

y Lie on child's scholarship form.y Indulge children rather than consistent

discipline.

If we prefer something over God's wishes for ourfamilies, our worship is impure; our hearts arefragmented. We need to repent from these areas

of disobedience and live according to His ways.We will definitely need more faith. Fortunately,

we can ask Him for more faith (see James).

The obvious question is how do we fit those things that are good in our life. Surely it is not wrong to be agood father. No. It isn't. If you notice, I was highlighting points of a poor father.

This is where the second summary command comes into play. All our chief affections must be for the Lord.He wants us all. This will mean that we are to fully obey Him without respect to what or who we are

dealing with. No husband only wants part of his wife's affection. "The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVEYOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31).

Notice that the word love is again used here but in second place. This love for our

neighbors is not a competing love. For example, the wife is not to sin for the sakeof her husband even though she lives in a marriage covenant. She has an higher

obligation, a greater covenant. It is great to watch your child play baseball, but noton Sunday during worship service time or the church's prayer meeting!

Our love for our neighbors must be the way God has instructed us. There is no

room to love self. This second commandment gives us direction to pass on God'slove. This should give us a new sense of priority.

By opening up our lives to this examining process, we cooperate with God rather than struggle with Him.

Furthermore, we will less likely take offense because we will understand why He is 'being so rough' withus. In fact, He is like a surgeon that is cutting away cancerous parts of our heart.

SummaryA pure heart means that we love God with all that we have. His commandsremain the highest priority in our lives. No desire will cause me to disobey

Him.

When we have this kind of pure heart, we will see that we have much moreenergy. We will have less and less inner tension. Things will become


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clearer. The flesh will not seem so strong.

The fragmented heart is only an illustration to help us link our desires andchoices with our heart affection. If you have the desire, then you have the

desires seeded in your heart. A more biblical term is hardened which we willnow take a look at.

Hope you will take a few minutes to work with God on a spiritual heartcheck! =>



Notes:(1) Fragmented heart is not a biblical term. We use it merely to help us build up our detective skills on

tracing back heart desires from our affections. More is explained on the use of this phrase and hardening in

the next page.(2) Let me know if you are interested in knowing more about such needs. I can give you information.


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PURE IN HEART



Not divided

Testing the Purity of our Hearts

1 John 5:21

Do you have a pure heart?

Let's take a short heart analysis! .... such unpleasant checkups!

o What are your major goals in life?

o What do you want to achieve?

o Where do you spend your free time?

o Where do you spend most of your money?

o What do you want most for your children?

If you honestly examine your life with these kind of questions, you will soon discover what your love in this world. You shou

notice whether there is a true evidence of a love for God or not. John used the tests of right love, conduct and doctrine in IJohn.

After this, you need to examine whether He is your greatest love by the way you use your money, time, and though

Do you love your goals, hopes and aspirations more than God? You will not find all of your hidden loves, but you

will find some.

We often do not think we have a problem with idols but the problem is terrible. We are wise if we follow John'sadvice.


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Little children, guard yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:21)

We now need to see the way the problems like burnout that occur when we don't actively eliminate those impurities. =>

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PURE IN

HEART



Not divided

The Hardened Heart

The scriptures do not speak of a fragmented heart. They speak of a callous, blind, uncircumcised and blind heart. Opoint of using the illustration of the fragmented heart is only to help us discover the links between our hearts and ou

desires. Through this we can discover the different 'loves' of our heart. Each of these chief affections that we preferover the Lord's instruction is a god in our life that must be destroyed. We have not well understood the great

difficulties that are associated with these 'little loves.' Their very presence in our hearts increase our inner confusionbecause of the competition for our loyalty and protection. Below are two illustrations.

Much of our worn out, anxiety, burn-out and confused symptoms arise from having multiple affections. We were

designed only to have one.


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Singular devotion

Singular devotion enables us to live with

confidence, clarity, and strength. All ourfocus is on what the Lord wants.

What He says, is our wish and action.

The Christian life is a simple life. We

return to the basics. Only by focusing onthe Lord will we be able to seek His

kingdom and His coming. Otherwise ourminds and hearts will be elsewhere.

The devoted Christian still has temptations,but they are much more obvious. There is

less confusion of heart and focus. They

stand out more and are much more easy toovercome. We want to overcome them.

Multiple Devotion

Major loves compete with each other. A

kingdom with three kings, each trying to getstronger and gain more influence, is never at

rest.

There are two major energy 'leaks' in thissystem.

(1) Each of these felt needs must be attendedto.

(2) The relationships between each area mustbe overseen.

Impurity causes 'burnout' or depression

because our systems cannot keep all of themgoing in good condition. We tend to focus on

one or two areas and neglect the others.

Spiritual burnout comes when we neglect ourspiritual lives with God.

Lukewarmness comes from having manysmaller parts which choke out real affection

for the Lord.

Temptation is so effective because we havesecret desires for different opportunities.

The fragments of our hearts are areas that are to some degree hardened andcalloused. Our heart does not need to be so hardened, but we choose to put our

affection on other things and our hearts are more and more darkened.

In order to reunite our heart, we need to repent from the other loves that we havechased after. We have committed spiritual adultery and must turn away from our

other 'partners' and return back, contrite and faithful. As we gain the Lord'sforgiveness through Christ's blood, we will again be able to choose the Lord's way

in those parts of our hearts. That area will gain the Spirit's light.

The key lesson for the Christian is to remember that his heart is only darkened because he has put his affectionelsewhere. He can return back anytime and put his love back in the Lord. Even though there might be a great

conflict and strong emotional attachments, the truth is, if we serve the Lord, we will gain purity of heart.

We should note that God uses discipline (see Hebrews 12) to help implement this process. Discipline is the processwhere He commonly uses consequences to highlight a special area of our lives that need to be worked on. By

focusing so much on our own efforts I do not mean to ignore the Lord's initiative. My intention is to complement anspeed up the Lord's work and effort.

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Timoth

1:5).


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Can we keep from falling away like so many around us? We sure can if we follow one key secret. =>



PURE IN

HEART



Not divided

Caught in Distraction

Entangled? Ensnared? Distracted? Detoured?

A whole generation of NT believers were beginning to lose the vision of Christ's glory. Theyhad begun to fall back to the old ways. The author of Hebrews brought before them a glorious

challenge which would help them and us in our pursuit to know God in His power andsplendor.

We have no doubt heard many messages on these verses. My purpose is not to go into depth

but to concisely note the one problem and the one solution.

y The One Problem

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let usalso lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and

let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,. (Hebrews 12:1).

Even though we have a host of past brave and godly people surrounding and watching us from the heavenly

clouds, we still can get held back. Sin is described as an encumbrance, a weight, that would hold back arunner. Sin is pictured as something that might entangle the runner's quick foot. These Christians were only

decades away from the life of the Lord's life, death and resurrection, but they were getting held back. What it that held them back?


24/27

Sin. Nothing but sin. Yes there are false teachings about. But it is those seeds of the flesh that seem to causeto stumble the most. It seems that every week, I hear of another pastor or Christian leader falling into sin. D

they have to? No! But they did. Yes. What makes you and I any different?

We also have a flesh which is eager to be fed with our attention. It begs to be fed. It whispers that it doesn'tmatter. A little won't hurt. Everyone is doing it. It is such a small matter. A small weight tied to the foot of a

strong runner won't make an instant difference to his run. He is so skilled and strong. However, the extraweight will soon cost him. It won't take much netting to get ones foot caught in it. A little bit will cause us t

stop. To fall. To stumble. Little tiny seeds, once sowed, will grow up into great trees.

Are you and I vulnerable? Yes, most definitely. The warning is for us who are running. The Lord is notwarning those who have given up or have fallen. The warning is for us to avoid these snares. The author gav

us one solution.

y The One Solution...Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy

set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down atthe right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2).

We need to stay focused on the Lord Jesus who has finished the race, endured all, and kept a pure heart. We

are to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. He is there to work in us to get rid of those distractions to our faith. As chapter continues, we see how God uses disicpline to help us reach the goal of purity. This is for our good s

that our heart will increasingly grow pure. Without this desire for the Lord, we will fall away.

The key for finishing the tough race is to have Jesus before our eyes and in our hearts. Later in verse 14, hesays, "Pursue ... sanctification without which no one will see the Lord." Sound familiar? The distractions th

we will meet up with in life, those snares, those entanglements that threaten our success, are seeded right inour old hearts. The sanctification process eliminates our affection for these things which otherwise would

ensnare us.

The solution is not stopping the other affections. Their potential of springing up and grabbing our feet wialways be with us. We of course must cease our other affections of this world and flesh. But this is not

enough; we will get caught. Our only hope is to keep our eyes on our glorious Lord. What does this mean? Wshould all attentive to our Lord. We should be easily enamored by His beauty, touched by His mercy,

moved by His grace and stirred by His words. We should want nothing else in life but Jesus. The otherthings of life, have lost their attraction. We now only want Jesus.

One problem stands by our side ready to destroy us. But the victor has Christ on his heart. He will not only pull intothe finish line but live the most full life possible. Let us with a pure heart seek after Jesus Christ. When we fix our

eyes on Jesus, the weights on our body begin to fall off one by one.

We read of testimonies of those in the pages of scripture. Let us now take a look at testimonies on how they are

seeking after pure hearts. =>




25/27

PURE IN

HEART

Fully devoted to Loving Godwith every part of our lives.

Not divided

Testimonies

Here are two questions you can possibly respond to regarding the theme 'pure in heart':

1. What has helped you understand the concept of pure in heart?2. What does it practically mean for you to be pure in heart?

What has helped you understand the concept of pure in heart?

Under the Surgeon's Knife

Each new year I chose a theme so I could focus and improve on an area of my life. This year was no

different, but nothing I thought of that year would have prepared me for this shaping experience.Early one morning, when all was still dark and quiet, I sensed God was speaking to me.

I saw nothing. I heard no audible voices. The Lord was there, however. I do not remember any eventor scripture that prompted this event, but I seemed to be thinking about dedicating myself to God. At

this time He motioned for me to lay flat on my back. I immediately lay down on my study floor justas if I was on an operating table. And then He stepped closer.

As He approached, I could sense Him scanning my life. I was totally vulnerable. I could hide

nothing under the eyes of that surgeon. He searched the deep recesses of my heart.

Then my Lord asked me for the knife. All of a sudden I was aware that He wanted the surgeons


26/27

knife that was in my hand.

A deep and intense inner struggle began. If I gave Him the knife, then that would give Him

permission to cut away any part of me that He desired. He was the wise surgeon and could seewhat evil parts needed to be cut out of my life. This was a tough battle. What if he chose to cut away

my health, my job, my wife, my children, etc.? What would happen?

Then my thoughts turned to His faithfulness and love for me. If He did, in fact, take any of thosethings most precious to me, then even this would be the very best for all concerned and most

necessary for me.

The struggle got more intense. Only my unwillingness to give Him the knife made the battle so

difficult. My brow was sweating. My mind was racing with thoughts about those people and things Iloved so much.

I finally gave Him the knife. I decided to trust Him.

I know what that meant. He could do anything to me or those around me. I only asked that He wouldprovide and care for those people and situations about me that I cared for so much.

I did not know what would happen that year.

I had made the decision to trust Him. Although nothing sizable happened that year, I was all the

more holy, dedicated, and pure as I affirmed what I had many times said before. I have died tomyself and live only for Him.

PurifyingMyHeart

A friend told me about an inner healing class at their church. It was really something. Here I am 50 years oBible college graduate, gone to church almost every Sunday and Wednesday. But spiritually I was

bankrupted. In reality I was unconverted. A divisive heart...Almost a spiritual heart attack...I had impure

thoughts, isolated because of a self-centered sin addiction ofmasturbation,sexual fantasies, resentment an

denial of anger issues... gossip, lies you name it, I did it all. Not to mention a breaking up of a marriagewhere I had met an equal...

And I covered it all up under a religious act. To the outside I was a nice guy. But I finally broke down. In

Inner Healing Class I really found Help, forgiveness and Joy of a clean heart.

I joined at step six of a twelve step program. The 3 week I broke down and ask for prayer and ask the LordJesus to take his proper place at the throne of my heart. From there I started Journaling and went through

Romans and I reflected on my live and started dealt with all my sin issues. I took six hours a day to where


27/27

asked the Lord to show me where I needed repentanceand forgive. The beauty was I started to forgiveeverybody in my heart. For most of it I asked for forgiveness for myself.

The Lord is the surgeon who deals with issues when we are willing to let go. He also showed me where I h

to cut soul-ties with unhealthy relationships, breaking down altars of imaginary objects oflust, cutting souties with addictive sin habits, in particular masturbation. He really set me free. And I'm not perfect because

never can do anything without Jesus Christ. It is the connection to Him that creates a clean and joyful hear

The Bible speaks about a spiritual marriage.

Life has meaning now and my heart is overflowing with Joy. I'm not the isolated self-centered personanymore. God knows all the secrets of my heard. It is hurtful when His Light reveals my secrets, but after

let Him cut them out, I feel so free and clean. - HW

What does it practically mean for you to be pure in heart?

Pure in Heart

Actually, the more I seek purity, the farther I seem to be from reaching that goal. Yesterday, it was

fame. Another day, another issue. Sins seem to come out of hiding places that I never knew existed.I cannot profess purity. I am too aware of my stains. Yes, they are blood cleansed, but I am more

convinced of many more hiding places lurking about for other hidden sins.

Onward I go, though. I want to see the Lord. I am terribly embarrassed at all these revelations, and Isuppose my only consolation is that my sins are nothing new to Him but only to me! I am quicker to

apologize because I am more convinced of my susceptibility to the wicked work of my sinful heart.I tread on in this war against my flesh. I feel more free, alert, joyful than anytime in my life. I want

to see the Lord in His great and splendid majestic glory.

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

I am sure you have other experiences!

Please send them in, either on this topic or others. Make sure you send the question you areanswering with it. We can help edit if necessary.

This ends the series on "Pure in Heart, not Divided."

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