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PURITY OF HEART

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 2, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 1.

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PURITY OF HEART.

By Arthur H. Gee

“BLESSED are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” Matt. 5:8. The Lord did not say, “They may see God,” but, “They shall see God.”
The Bible tells us many things about the heart. Solomon wrote, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Prov. 5:23. Paul says, “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Rom. 10:10. But this is not an easy thing to do; for “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jer. 17:9.
How can any one keep such a wicked heart pure? It would be impossible if we had it all to do ourselves; “but with God all things are possible.” His Word says: “Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.” James 4:8. God knows that we can not do these things by ourselves; but with the command, He gives us power to obey.
Do you want to know how you can purify your heart, and keep it pure? Certainly you do; and this is the way. The Lord says, “My son, give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe My ways.” Prov. 23:26. When you have given Him your heart, the Lord’s way is, “I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Jer. 31:33. He wants you to give Him your heart, so that He can write His law in it.
After God has made your heart pure by forgiving your sins and cleansing you from iniquity, love for His law will keep it pure. David says: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” This is the reason the heart is pure, when there is in it a love for God’s law. Again: “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” “Thy Word is very pure; therefore Thy servant loveth it.” Ps. 119:11, 140.
For the pure in heart there are many promises. Christ says: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2. We also read, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:9.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Let us by divine help keep our hearts pure; for the pure in heart “shall see God.”
ARTHUR H. GEE.