City Life Starter

Written by Paul Lane

The Word

⁷ “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ⁸ “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Matthew 5:7-8 (NASB)

3 See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are. For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know Him. ² Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. ³ And everyone who has this hope set on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

1 John 3:2 (NASB)

Reflection

My son Valentino has developed a fascination for the element Francium.  On the periodic table, it is on the very bottom of the left column, which means that it is the most extreme in the Alkali family.  These elements, when in their pure form, like to react with anything.  But Francium is even more special.  It is radioactive, with the most stable isotope having a half life of only 22 min.  This means that Francium is transitory; it exists in pure form for only a short time.

If you were to gather all the Francium together that is scattered around the Earth’s crust, experts estimate we would only have ~30 grams.  If we were to try to create 1 grams of Francium in a laboratory, it would cost $1,000,000,000.  If you were then to place that gram of Francium in your pocket and jump into a lake, you would create an explosion the size of a small nuclear bomb.

So what does this have to do with purity of heart?  Well, the purpose of isolating elements in their purest form is to understand their true natures.  But it is a difficult task to accomplish.  Purity is rare, precious, and hard to achieve.  But we should also understand that it is worth the effort because it yields a great benefit.  As Kacee Pate said this Sunday, “seeing God is the ultimate fulfillment of our soul’s happiness.”  And it is only the pure in heart that will see God.  The impure in heart will always hide from holiness.

Application

Let us take those one at a time:

1. Purity is Rare: Jesus said that the gate to life is narrow and that there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:14) Think of a time in your life in which you took the less trodden path.  Did it make a difference?  I’ll bet there were fewer distractions and your ability to take in the journey was enhanced. 
2. Purity is Precious: Jesus also told the parable of the merchant dealing in pearls. (Matthew 13:45-46)  You can think of the old claims that people used to make about something being authentically Italian, or of collectors buying gold, or of the genuine love you feel for someone, a child, who is innocent.  The pearl dealer having found the pearl of great value, and knowing what it is, could make a living from it by displaying it to a crowd. 
3. Purity is Hard to Achieve: Jesus told His disciples that it was impossible with man. (Matthew 19:26) Hart to achieve?  Yes, and no.  Yes, if you attempt such an elevated life on your own, clearly you will not succeed.  So, it is not hard, it is impossible. But there is a Helper who is more than capable.  There is a God who is more than curious. And His yoke is more than easy, whose burden is light.

Prayer

Dear Lord, let the impurities of my life fall away that the hope you have placed in me may grow.  Let the entanglements of this world no longer encumber me.  And let the image of Your son be imprinted on my heart that I might find my ultimate happiness in You.  Amen.