Excerpt from “Accelerator”, Accelerated Christian Education, Oct-Dec, pg 10
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
Those are the words of our Lord as He gave the Beatitudes on the mountain in Galilee. What does it mean to be PURE? A.C.E. defines pure as “Keeping my life free from moral defilement by maintaining holy thoughts, words, and actions in order to be like Jesus Christ.” There is absolutely no question about it, God wants Believers to be pure in their thoughts, words, and actions–to be just like Him!
David asked the question, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who shall stand in his holy place?” He they answered that question, “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalm 24:3-5) The question before each of us today is, “How can I keep my thoughts, words, and actions PURE?” Here are three sure ways to help build purity in your life.
1. BY MEMORIZING GOD’S WORD
Jeremiah used eating to illustrate this process of memorizing and putting the Word of God into our lives. He said, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart; for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16) David declared, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11) Why should we memorize God’s Word? Because “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is PURE, enlightening the eyes.” (Psalm 19:8) Also, “Every word of God is PURE: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” (Proverbs 30:5) Memorizing God’s Word is an absolute must for the Believer! It will affect our whole lives. It is our spiritual food.
2. BY OBEYING GOD’S WORD
What value it is just to memorize God’s Word if we do not take the next step–to OBEY God’s Word? Peter’s message was this, “Seeing ye have PURIFIED your souls in OBEYING the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a PURE heart fervently.” (I Peter 1:22) It is futile to know what is right and pleasing to God but not live it through our daily obedience! Obedience to God’s Word is an absolute must for the Believer! It is the spiritual food of God’s Word having its effect on everything we do.
3. BY THINKING RIGHT THOUGHTS
Why did Jeremiah declare, “Thy words were found and I did EAT them?” You are what you eat. If you eat the right things, it will facilitate growth and health, and God wants us to be healthy spiritually. Digesting the Word of God by putting it into practice will develop right thoughts, words, and actions. Paul expressed it this way: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are TRUE, whatsoever things are HONEST, whatsoever things are JUST, whatsoever things are PURE, whatsoever things are LOVELY, whatsoever things are of GOOD REPORT; if there be any VIRTUE, and if there be any PRAISE, think on these things.” A PURE heart will produce PURE thoughts, PURE words, and PURE actions!
God expects Believers to be PURE. Let’s remember these three sure ways to have purity of thoughts, words, and actions as we go about our daily lives.