Beatitudes: Purity And Peace

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

The idea here is of something that has nothing added to it. It’s wine that hasn’t been watered down, gold that is 24 karat. It is unadulterated. It has been purged of everything but itself; it is completely clean. Using that sense of being unadulterated, purity also refers to a singleness of purpose, loving with a whole heart, instead of half a heart.

The reason that the pure in heart will see God is because they are able to see Him, their vision is not clouded by impure motives and desires, and because they are always, only, looking for God, and His hands at work, in every situation, every set of circumstances, no matter how mundane, or how awful.

* What impurities are fogging up your vision?

* How well can you see God working in your current situation?

“Oh how serene and joyful, and never disappointed, are those whose motives are pure and whose single passion is God, because they will always see Him, and His hands at work, no matter what.”

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9"

When you are right with God, you will know how to be right with people too. Peace is everything which makes for a person’s highest good, and the enjoyment of that good.

But the blessing is not on those who love peace so much as it is for those who make peace.

--> Not being willing to talk about the hard things and saying to yourself, “Well it’s because I don’t like confrontation,”
or
--> ignoring what’s wrong because you don’t want to rock the boat,
or
--> refusing to take action in a situation because you don’t want people to not like you,

....is not being a peacemaker.

You might love peace, but what you’re really doing is pushing responsibility for peace onto someone else, so you don’t have to do the hard work of making peace yourself.

* What trouble are you dodging?

Peace doesn’t come from evading issues, it comes from facing them and dealing with them. Making peace is active, having courage to get with those who are in the middle of the trouble, and bringing God’s truth out, being willing to take a few lumps as people deal with their anger and negative impulses, until the process has been completed.

IF
Your motives are pure, and your single passion is to see God at work, if you know the deep joy and freedom of having peace with God yourself,
THEN
You will actively bring this same peace to other people,

“Oh how serene and joyful are those who bring the reconciliation of the gospel to others, who produce right relationships with God, and with others, because people will recognize they are just like God’s Son”

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