The rise and fall of his tiny chest mesmerized me. He slept without a care in the world. He had puffy cheeks and little slits that seemed to cover his eyes. He was simply beautiful. So tiny, yet so perfectly formed. He had survived the trauma of being birthed into our world and captured our hearts upon first glance. He was the picture of absolute innocence– pure and unsullied by world experiences.
I wondered what he might observe as he grew and learned to navigate in the world. Would my example encourage him to continue in purity? And what might he say as he learned to form words? Would I be delighted or mortified by the innocent rambling of his observations? Then I considered:
To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupt and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
Titus 1:15-16 niv
Continuing with the hope of purity that springs from a pure heart, I began to wonder if there truly are any benefits to seeking and maintaining such a state of being. Then I discovered:
Who may ascend to the hill of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.
He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior.
Psalm 24:3-5 niv
Indeed, there are benefits to keeping a pure heart – the privilege of ascending to the hill of the Lord and standing in His holy place. What better place to be than where He is? And God’s Word says those who maintain a pure heart will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from Him. These are powerful promises beyond our ability to fully comprehend. And let us also consider the power that flows from a pure heart:
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 niv
What is it that comes from a pure heart? Love, a good conscience and a sincere faith. And how might those characteristics be powerful in our lives? God’s Word again tells us:
Love never fails …
Regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the difficulty, regardless of how long a situation may last, love never fails. Love is a powerful force that cannot be defeated or diminished. Love simply will not, cannot fail. And it comes from a pure heart.
Seeing our grandson for the first time was an indescribably moving moment. The emotions were strong, validating the expression ‘love at first sight.’ Newborns often remind us of purity, not having lived long enough to know how to manipulate or intentionally hurt others, or how to selfishly bully others to get what they want. Even when we hear their cries, they are pure, simply and instinctively seeking to survive.
And each new baby seems to remind us how precious life is, representing a picture of innocence and hope for the future. Yet we, too, can be a part of making a hopeful future. As we allow God’s work to be completed in us, He will create in us a pure heart so His love can flow. His love is more powerful than any other force in our world. Therefore
… Keep yourself pure.
1 Timothy 5:22 niv
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
1 John 3:1-3 niv
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