Understanding The BeatitudesНамуна

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God

The sixth beatitude echoes Psalm 24:3-5:

"Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. They will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of their salvation."

“Clean hands and pure hearts” denote integrity, singleness of devotion, undivided loyalty. Integrity goes well beyond avoiding deceit and bad behavior. The root of integrity is wholeness, meaning that our actions are not choices we put on or take off as may seem convenient; they stem from the whole of our being. Purity of heart arises not from perfection of our will, but from reception of God’s grace.

It is the person of integrity who will “see God.” While the Bible is clear that God is invisible and “dwells in unapproachable light” (1 Timothy 1:17, 6:16), the pure in heart can perceive and sense God's reality in this life. In fact, without integrity, the deceits we propagate may eventually make us unable to perceive the truth. We inevitably begin to believe our own fabrications. The impure have no desire to see God, but those who are part of Christ's kingdom are blessed because they see reality as it truly is, including the reality of God.

What might a pure heart look like in the workplace?

We can determine how much of this blessing we have received by asking ourselves, "How much commitment do I have to integrity when I might be able to get away with skillful deception? Do I refuse to let my opinion of someone be shaped by gossip and innuendo, no matter how juicy? To what extent are my actions and words accurate reflections of what is in my heart?"

Reflection

Are there areas of life where you choose to deceive yourself or others? How do those choices serve you? How do they not serve you?

Prayer

Lord, heal my heart so that I can see You more clearly.