Love God Greatly: Beatitudesনমুনা

C. S. Lewis says in his book The Problem of Pain that, "It is safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to." Jesus isn't talking about ritual purity here (perfect obedience to the sacrificial system and law) but about a single devotion to following God. This is not something we can do for ourselves as sinful humans but only as a result of the redemption that Jesus' death and resurrection provided for us. We are purified, cleansed, and justified. 

Jesus gives us a picture of what purity looks like: single-minded devotion to seeking God. Unlike divided hearts that flit from one love to the next, the pure in heart only truly desire fellowship with God, and they will be satisfied. Just as those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied, those with a single devotion to God will be given what they desire. 

God, give me a new heart that seeks only You! Help me to see the divisions in my heart that love other things and cleanse me of the lesser loves that distract me from You. Capture all of my love, God.