Christian Life

One of the most dangerous medical conditions in the world is the condition of blocked arteries. If ignored long enough it can cause death. Can you imagine someone hearing from an M.D. that they need lifesaving surgery and then simply ignoring it? If one were to ignore such a dire warning it is very possible that they might not see many more days. There is a very similar situation in the life of each and every Christian, and it must not be ignored. In Matthew 5:9 our Lord and Savior states, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” In the Greek there are three important words in this passage: 1) καθαρός (katharos), pure; clean; 2) καρδία (kardia), heart; and 3) ὀπτάνομαι (optanomai), appear; see. If the Christian is to see God (a prolonged seeing) they must have a clean/pure heart. It is very similar to having a heart cath procedure in that the fallen mindset and sin sick desires have a direct impact on whether the heart will continue to live, or if it will die. If “sin” is found during the examination it must be removed. So how can a Christian keep their heart clean? First, there must be actual repentance in the life of the Christian. Jesus connected repentance and salvation in Luke 24:45-49. Moreover, Luke recorded repentance and salvation as dual conditions of salvation in Acts 2:38. Likewise we have the inspired words of 1 John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of the eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. It is wise for each and every Christian to keep their heart pure, free from the desires of the world, so that they can see, in an eternal state, the Lord and Savior of the world. Paul’s words to the church in Philippi are useful still today, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Indeed, let us fix our eyes on Jesus! George Severn