Six marks of a pure heart

Done in a Corner

I will use my good friend as an example of having all six marks of a pure heart, but one of the most important marks of a pure heart is doing things just because they need to be done, and not to be seen by others. That’s what Jesus taught as well. He never tells others what he does for others. He knows his rewards come in the life to come, but doesn’t really do them for rewards. This man has a pure heart.

Expecting Nothing Back

When we give without expecting anything in return, we are giving out of a pure heart. It’s not like we gave to them and now we expect them to behave in a way that we find acceptable. We don’t give so that we have the right to give them un-asked for counsel. No, this man gives because he wants to…not expecting anything in return.

Loving the Unlovable

When God first loved me, while still very unlovable, he did what one of my friends does who visits prisoners as part of his own personal ministry. When all of a prisoner’s spouse, children, parents, and friends have forsaken them, he is the one who will show these men love. Prisoners are human. They need love, and my friend shows his love by action. He loves those who most would be repelled by, but those are the ones whom God seeks to worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

No Hidden Agenda

When my friend does something, like he gave me money once for some tires, he had no hidden agenda like, “Now I expect you’ll ask me to give the opening prayer.” He doesn’t do it to get any favors from me or anyone else he helps. His motives are as pure as the driven snow. It’s not a “Quid Pro Quo” deal. He just gives because he’s generous.

Contentedness

When we are contented in life, we are accepting God’s sovereignty over our lives, and that is very pleasing to God. The Apostle Paul wrote that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1st Tim 6:6), so even amidst the many heartbreaks this man’s gone through in life, he is still content and that contentedness brings him (and us in the church) great joy.

Great Humility

God cannot use any man or woman greatly until they are first humbled deeply. God’s grace is like water…it flows downhill and seeks the lowliest of places. My friend must be a reservoir of grace because he’s as humble as they get. Humility like that is a true mark of a pure heart.

Conclusion

A pure hearted person would be one who does things but doesn’t brag about it, he never expects anything in return, he loves those who no one else will, he has no hidden agenda, he is perfectly content in every state he is in, and all of this is because he has such great humility, which is the mark of marks for those with a pure heart.

May God richly bless you,
Pastor Jack Wellman