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“What do you want?” People answer that question many ways. Some want to lose weight. Others want a new job. Some want to find a boyfriend or girlfriend. Perhaps a better question is, “What do you want badly enough you will change your behavior?”
Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (NIV) Do you want to have a pure heart? Or should I say, do you want a pure heart badly enough to change your behavior?
So how can we have a pure heart? Obviously, we need to turn to God and seek his forgiveness. But is a pure heart automatic? I don’t think so.
In 1 Timothy 1:5 Paul said, “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” So, what was the command he referred to? Paul mentioned it in verses 3 and 4, “. . . stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith.” (NIV)
If we want a pure heart, we have to avoid false ideas. These ideas are in schools, universities and much of the culture. Faith in God, not false ideas, is what develops love from a pure heart.
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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.