THEME: How to achieve whole hearted service.
II Thessalonians 3:5
“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”
In today’s “me” philosophy society it is not always easy to find a pure mind that chooses what God chooses. Harder still it is to find a pure heart. One that focuses on God and His commands above all else because of that is what God wants for us His children. Vocations, place of residence, recreations, language --- all of these things play a part in the desire to achieve and have the mind of Christ and thus a pure heart.
With a pure heart, you will see your relationship with God as comforting, not aggravating, positive not negative and joyful not sad. You will aspire to do His will and to be like Him. If you have real love and mercy for your fellowman then it will come from God and your love for Him.
Purity of heart means to be master of self, not be naively innocent or perfect. Real purity is strong, resilient and lasting. A naive innocence is easily deluded and vanishes when disillusionment comes. As a child of God we must have a pure heart, one of goodness, righteousness and obedience which will lead us to do what is right in His sight. A pure heart isn’t just something that you think would be nice but know you will never achieve it is a command that we have it, it is a must in order for us to see God and partake of His great richness.
Let’s go to the Scriptures and see what it has to say concerning purity of heart.
1. Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the ______ in _______: for they shall see God.”
2. Psalm 15:1-2 – “Lord, ______ _______ _______ in thy tabernacle? ______ ________ ________ in thy holy hill? “He that __________ _____________, and __________ ________________, and __________ the _______ in his ________.”
3. I John 3:2-3 – “Beloved, now we are the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we _______ that, when he shall appear, we ________ be _______ ______; for we shall see him as he is. And ___________ _______ that _______ this _______ in Him ____________ __________, even as he is _______.”
4. Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are _______, whatsoever things are __________, whatsoever things are ______, whatsoever things are ________, whatsoever things are _________, whatsoever things are of ________ __________; if there be any ________, and if there be any ___________, _________ on these ________.”
5. II Timothy 2:22 – “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow _______________, __________, _________, _________, with them that call on the Lord our of a _________ ________.”
6. Titus 1:15 – “Unto the ________ all things are ________: but unto them that are ___________ and _____________ is nothing _______; but even their mind and conscience is __________.”
7. James 4:8 – “________ ________ to God, and he will _______ _______ to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and ________ ______ _______, ye double minded.”
Perfection as we usually think of it is impossible; there was only One who was perfect. However, in II Timothy 3:17 we are told to be perfect:
“That the ______ ____ _____ may be _________, thoroughly ___________ unto all ______ _______.”
When thinking of perfection as no mistakes, no sins, no wrong at all; it is impossible.
8. Is God commanding something here that we have no way to do? Explain your answer.
When we have sensitivity and humility in our hearts we will act accordingly. The pure heart shows kindness to all. A pure heart will cause us to want to help others out of a love for them and their souls and in so doing it will bring about joy to us. A pure heart does not allow us to be spiritless, indifferent or even to be a bystander, doing nothing. A pure heart will cause us to be encouraging to others, helpful, and uplifting. It will cause us to have a spirit of love and care for one another and for others. In short it will give us the love of God in our hearts and will cause us to want to share it with others.
Beverly Rainwater
NOTE: Some of you will probably wish to work ahead on these lessons and that is fine but I must ask you to please hold them and do not send them in to me except as they are due each week on Saturday.