I mentioned in my last post that the last half of the Beatitudes deal with our relationships with others. Read verse eight now in that context. According to Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, being pure in heart means having a heart that is sincere and genuine, pure in motivation, and free from falsehood. Remember that blessed means a life of peaceful contentment which goes beyond the mere feeling of happiness. This is impossible if you don't have a pure heart in your relationships--your marriage, friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc.

The challenge in this Beatitude is to strive for healthy, functional relationships which will lead to happiness. This is a tall order because relationships are always a two-way street. You can do everything right, yet the relationship can still be fractured because the other person isn't willing to do the same. That doesn't get us off the hook though. I think Jesus implies that when that is the case, we should go the extra mile to do whatever we can to bring healing to that relationship. Purity of heart also compels us to always initiate reconciliation and never wait for the other person to make the first move. This is what Christ models for us in his relationship to us. I am thankful that he initiated my reconciliation and didn't wait for me to go first.

Purity of heart also compels us to embrace the other person when they fail to reciprocate or worse, reject us altogether. Christ's example to us shows us that when that happens, purity in heart compels us to embrace them even more. That is the character response of a person who is pure in heart.

I was stumped for some time by the promise of this Beatitude--for they shall see God. As I asked the Lord what this meant, He immediately reminded me of Psalm 133. In verse one it says, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" Then in verse three it concludes, "For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." God shows up where people are pure in heart towards one another. That is where His presence is manifested in our lives. Ask yourself, "What relationships need God's presence to come into today? How do I need to purify my heart in how I relate to others?" Do that and His presence will begin to fill that relationship like never before.