The Mark – No.6 Be Pure

The commands of Jesus are the Mark, the target for the perfect life. To aim for and to hit the Mark is to conform to the image and likeness of God. To ignore, neglect, or miss the Mark is to sin. The commands provide stepping stones through earthly life, upon which the child of God survives tempests and deflects the boomeranging darts of pride. Adhering to the Mark aspiring immortals gain victory.

Be pure in your heart.

Matthew 5:8

The mind informs and influences the heart, but the heart rules. The heart is extra sensory; the heart is keenly perceptive in ways the mind does not comprehend.  I will even venture to say that your heart is the substance of your being, this intangible element of personhood that neither computer nor internet can trump as it has with the mind. As people age, they often lose their mental faculties, but they rarely lose their hearts.

When I cut open a ripe avocado, I am thrilled when I see an avocado that is perfectly ripe through and through, when it hasn’t started to rot. In contrast to contamination, purity resonates in delightful rhythm.

The land of immortality is comprised of the pure of heart. This is why we yearn to be there. Yet, to be there we must be pure too, lest we contaminate heaven.

The call for purity is repeated by Christ. He commands righteousness, perfection, and purity of heart.

Psalm 24:3-6

Who shall 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.

Such is the company of those who seek Him.

Psalm 73:1

Truly God is good to the upright,

to those who are pure in heart.

The challenge for this week is to look into your heart and purge from it any impurities that may lurk there. How can this be done? Try prayer and fasting. King David did when he prayed, “Create in me a clean heart oh God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Ask and ye shall receive.  Peace.