![]() ![]() If man was commanded to be fruitful and multiply and if sex was a gift from God, we do not know why semen discharge made a person unclean. However, there is not always a logical reason why the flesh of some animals was considered clean and others unclean. A person with leprosy is unclean because leprosy is an infectious disease. For example, crows are unclean because they eat dead, rotten flesh. In some instance, we may be able to see a logical reason. What do you think the basis was for determining what (or who) was “ clean” or “ unclean”? It was God’s arbitrary decision. The initial use of the word “ pure” in the Bible was in the sense of “ clean” as opposed to “ unclean” – clean or unclean animals, clean or unclean foods, the clean or unclean condition of a person. Having a pure heart first of all means living by the rules of God that bring moral purity. Living for the purpose of God, having a single-minded devotion to God. Living by the rule of God, living a life that is pleasing to God.Ģ. The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. Actually, this is one of the most central principles of the Christian life that we see in the whole Bible. You cannot be meek, you cannot hunger and thirst for righteousness, you cannot be merciful, you cannot be a peacemaker or be prepared to stand persecution for the name of Christ without having a pure heart. You cannot mourn for the things that displease God without having a pure heart. You cannot be poor in spirit without having a pure heart. This is the most central and the most significant of all the beatitudes mentioned in this fifth chapter of Matthew. And the key to open that treasure trove is a pure heart! If we see God, that will open up the treasure trove of all the blessings, not only for eternity, but also for life here and now. That’s it! That’s the goal of the Christian life! That’s what we are living for – that we may live our life in such a way that we see God. “ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). That is the question this beatitude we are studying in Matthew 5:8 answers in the most explicit terms. Are our long-term plans and goals any different than those of college students today? What do we desire the most? What are we living for? That is the most significant question of the Christian life, of any life. Let us think about ourselves, those of us who claim to have believed in Jesus Christ and have dedicated our lives to God. Their mind is on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19). ![]() Forget about the people out there, those who live for the here-and-now, “ … their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. ![]() Their idea of long-term planning ends with their 401K and other retirement savings.īut forget about the college students and their goals in life. That is what the majority of the people in the world are living for – getting a good education, having a good job, and living happily ever after! They have no thought of anything after that. That expresses the typical mentality of college students today. “What will you do after you gain admission into this college?” “I will endeavor to gain the best education I can.” “What will you do after you have earned your degree?” “I will secure a good job.” “After that?” “Well, I will earn a good deal of money and have a happy life.” “After that?” “Enjoy my retirement.” “And what’s after that?” No response! Usually this was the end of the conversation. The committee asked all the candidates a certain set of questions, and the replies were much the same. The admissions committee of a private Christian college was interviewing candidates. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |