-March 23, 2023-
Good morning, happy Thursday,
“Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure” (1 Timothy 5:22).
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
The challenge for us as believers is to keep ourselves pure in a impure world. This is no easy matter, for we surrounded by sin, evil, wickedness, and temptation. We can only succeed by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Psalmist asked and answered the question, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalm 119:9).
From movies to TV, to the internet, to books, and magazines, sin abounds everywhere. When we get saved we are made holy through the blood of Christ. Now we must pure lives. People watch and hear us everyday. They wait to see Christians fall or fail, then pounce on us with consternation. We aren’t perfect, but with the Lord’s help, we should strive to be separated from the world and set apart for the Lord.
Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount gave us the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. He pronounces a blessing on those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, on the meek, on the merciful, on the pure in heart, on the peacemakers, and on those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Purity of heart and mind is like uploading a new file and deleting an old one. When we pray and fill our minds and hearts with the Word of God we become more like Christ. In days gone by there used to be a sect called Puritans. Their goal was to live pure lives based on God’s Word.
The special blessing for being pure in heart is to see God, not only when we get to heaven, but also now in this life. John wrote in 1 John 2:2-3, “Beloved, now we are the children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
Let us then keep ourselves pure as our Savior is pure. May we become more and more like Jesus in our thoughts, desires, motives, actions, and words. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.
Striving to be pure in all things,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 