As I reflect on Matthew 5:8, I can’t help but feel the weight of what Jesus is asking of us.
The depth of God’s love for us is overwhelming, and in return, He calls us to something that feels almost impossible at times—having a pure heart.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8 NASB).
When I hear the word “pure,” I think of something untainted, something free from any kind of blemish. And when Jesus speaks of a pure heart, He’s talking about more than just outward actions.
He’s asking for a heart that is completely devoted, undivided, focused solely on Him. I’ll be honest with you—it’s hard. So many distractions pull at my heart every day. Whether it’s work, relationships, or even the constant pull of social media, the world around us constantly competes for our attention and devotion.
But Jesus is clear: if we want to truly see God, our hearts must be pure.
What does that mean for you and me in real, everyday life? I’ve wrestled with that question myself. A pure heart doesn’t come naturally. It’s not something we can manufacture or will into existence by trying harder. It’s the result of a heart that has been shaped and molded by the love of God, and I know for me, it’s a daily battle.
So how do we pursue this purity?
For me, it starts with being honest. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come to God, full of my own agendas, hidden motives, and personal desires. I’ll pray for something, but deep down, I’m hoping to gain something for myself.
Or I’ll do something that looks good on the outside, but my heart is far from pure. I’ve realized that purity of heart starts with confession—being honest with God about where I’m at. He already knows, but there’s something transformative about opening up and allowing Him to see the parts of me that I’ve kept hidden.
Once we’ve been honest, it’s about surrender.
And surrender doesn’t come easily. It means letting go of those things that pull us away from Him. For me, it’s sometimes been pride, other times fear, and more often than not, it’s been the need for control. I want to handle things my way, but God is patiently asking me to let go and trust Him.
It’s also about the small choices we make every day. I’ve come to realize that purity isn’t just about avoiding the big, obvious sins. It’s about those moments when I choose what to focus on, where I invest my time, and how I treat others.
Is my heart focused on God, or is it more wrapped up in the noise around me? Every time I choose God in those moments, it’s like another layer of impurity is peeled back, and I start to see Him more clearly.
And that’s the promise, isn’t it? “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” There’s nothing I want more than to see God. Not just in the far-off future when we’re standing in heaven, but right here, right now.
I want to see Him in my daily life—in the way He’s working in the lives of those around me, in the way He’s transforming my heart, and in the way His presence is felt even in the middle of ordinary moments.
I think that’s what Jesus is offering us here. He’s not just talking about a reward for the future; He’s offering us a chance to experience God now, in ways that only a pure heart can recognize. When our hearts are cluttered with distractions, with our own agendas, or with anything that isn’t centered on Him, we miss it.
We miss the opportunity to see God’s hand in our lives.
But when our hearts are pure, those moments of God’s presence become clearer, sharper, and more frequent.
Of course, we’re never going to achieve perfection in this life. I know I won’t. But that doesn’t mean we stop striving for it.
Purity of heart is a process, a journey of continually seeking God above all else. It’s about making the choice, over and over again, to let Him be the center of everything we do.
I want that. I want to live a life where my heart is fully surrendered to Him, where there’s no part of me that I’m holding back. I want to see God—in the quiet moments when I’m praying, in the chaos of the day-to-day, and one day, face to face in eternity.
And that’s the promise Jesus gives us. If we seek Him with pure hearts, we will see Him. Not just in the future, but now, in the very fabric of our lives.
So as we continue on this journey together, let’s ask ourselves: What are the things that are keeping my heart from being pure?
What do I need to let go of, to surrender, to confess? And how can I shift my focus so that God is the true center of my heart?
It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Because there’s no greater blessing than seeing God.
Devotion on Matthew 5:6 found here.
For Deeper Insights on the Sermon on the Mount: If you’re searching for an accessible, powerful commentary, I highly recommend The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5-7 by James Montgomery Boice. This book breaks down Jesus’ teachings with clarity and depth, guiding readers to not only understand but also live out these transformative truths. Explore more about this exceptional commentary here.
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