A Servant is Pure in Heart

So, what is Jesus talking about when He says, “Blessed are the pure in heart”? I think it is worth noting, first of all, that the essence of real righteousness and real servanthood has to do with the heart, not the head nor the hands. Certainly, the head and the hands play an important part in righteousness and servanthood, but they cannot be completely or rightly engaged if the heart is not right. Like the first beatitude (poor in spirit), this quality (pure in heart) focuses on the inner person. Being pure in heart has to do with our motive – are we doing right things for the right reason?

The Bible reveals the fact that the heart is the seat of all our troubles. Jesus said, “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” (Mt. 15:18-19)

• In the OT, Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9)
• That’s why Solomon told his son in Proverbs. 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

So, it is our heart that God wants us to be concerned about as we seek to be servants of God. But what kind of purity is Jesus calling for from his disciples? There are two primary aspects to this word translated purity.

1. First, there is the aspect of being cleansed or being without defilement.
2. Second, there is the aspect of being without hypocrisy; to be sincere, unmixed, single-minded or whole hearted. I believe it is this second kind of purity that Jesus has in mind here in this Beatitude.

• God desires His servants to be “real” people who are authentic to the core.
• God desires His servants to be free from duplicity and hypocrisy.
  • The word hypocrite comes from the ancient Greek plays.
  • A “hupocritos” was a person who wears a mask.
  • An actor would place a large, grinning mask in front of his face and quote his comedic lines and the audience would roar with laughter.
  • Then the actor would slip backstage and grab a frowning face and come back and deliver tragic lines and the audience would moan and weep.

When we wear literal masks, nobody is fooled and it can be very entertaining. But how easy it is to wear invisible masks that fool people and take advantage of them. Doing so brings great harm to individuals and to the church. Real servants who are pure in heart have peeled off their masks. When we serve God and others with a pure heart, then our service has great impact for good.

God places a special blessing on those who serve with a pure heart. Jesus declares that the pure in heart will see God. But what does Jesus mean by that? How will they see God? When will they see God? Just as with many of the Beatitudes, the promises are partly fulfilled here and now, and are completely fulfilled in the future after His coming. We people of faith, with pure hearts see God in ways that unbelievers cannot. We see God in the physical world that He so carefully crafted. We see God in the events of history as His sovereign will is made known. We see God in his church and we see God in our lives and sense His presence as He answers our prayers and provides what we need. Yet, none of this present “seeing” can compare with what is yet to be.

For as Paul said, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face.” (1 Cor. 13:12) I like what the apostle John wrote, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3) This is indeed one of the most amazing promises ever said to human beings. Someday, we are going to see God face to face. If we love God and trust in Him and serve Him with a pure heart, then we are going to enjoy God and spend an eternity is His glorious presence. That is almost too good to be true! Servants with a pure in heart truly see God today, and will see Him even more clearly for all eternity!

III.    A Servant is a Peacemaker

Interestingly, this is the only time in the NT that the Greek term translated peacemaker appears. So, what does Jesus mean when he says, “Blessed are the peacemakers?” Just who are these people? What kind of person is Jesus describing?

• Does Jesus mean: Blessed are those who avoid all conflict and confrontations?
• Does Jesus mean: Blessed are those who are laid back, easygoing and relaxed?
• Does Jesus mean: Blessed are those who defend a “peace at any price” philosophy?
• Does Jesus really mean: Blessed are the passive, those who compromise their convictions when they are surrounded by those who would disagree?

Certainly, this is not what Jesus means when he says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Just looking at the life and ministry of Jesus, yet knowing that He is called the Prince of Peace, leads us to the conclusion that being a peacemaker doesn’t mean avoiding all conflict or confrontations, and compromising convictions for the sake of peace. I believe that the peacemaking of primary concern to Jesus takes place in the context of our most intimate relationships. Certainly there are implications in peacemaking for how a Christian should act in very public conflictual situations and with obnoxious strangers, but the primary thrust of this Beatitude concerns itself with how disciples are to be peacemakers with their spouses, children, friends, and brothers and sister in the faith.

The truth of the matter is that, even for Christians, relationships are a messy business. Like Jesus and his disciples, there are times when we don’t understand the ones we love. There are times when disappointments and frustrations threaten to overwhelm affectionate feelings. And there are times when we are deeply hurt by the very ones we deeply love. What should distinguish followers of Christ from the world are not perfect relationships, or the absence of conflict, but the way disciples treat each other when relationships become strained. We, Christians, should take peace seriously, and when conflict arises we should be seeking reconciliation. The urge to reconcile is the essence of peacemaking.

• So, how can a servant be a peacemaker?

A peacemaker is someone who tries to practice Romans 14:19, “therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” A peacemaker is someone who tries to practice Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Or how about Hebrews 12:14, “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy.” James 3:17-18 is filled with practical suggestions for being a peacemaker, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:17-18) How’s that for a prescription for peace? That stands in such contrast with the preceding verses that catalog the problems that lead to our most bitter conflicts – envy, selfish ambition, boasting and lying.

• A peacemaker is one who refuses to give up on the people and relationships closest to them.
  • Servants of God do their best to preserve their relationships by pursuing peace.
  • Perhaps, this Beatitude shows most clearly the connection between all the Beatitudes.

We cannot practice this 7th Beatitude without the faithful practice of the first six. Notice how being a peacemaker requires faithfully applying the first six Beatitudes: Poverty of Spirit makes it possible for me to confess – “I was wrong.” Mourning teaches us to say, “I was wrong and I am so sorry.” Meekness causes us to say, “I don’t have to have my way.” A hunger and thirst for righteousness leads us to only want to do what is right. The quality of mercy allows us to forgive others and to be interested in their needs. The quality of purity of heart helps us to act with integrity and honesty in our relationships. Can you see how applying these Beatitudes to our relationships will result in peacemaking?

The promise of this Beatitude is “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.” The old saying is true, “Like parent, like child.” Our heavenly Father and our spiritual Brother are peacemakers. What greater compliment can be given than that we resemble the heavenly family?