MT 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
The diesel truck goes by and I quickly roll up the window, turn off the air conditioner, and wait out the stink in the atmosphere left from its exhaust. Worse than an Italian on garlic, the left-over smell from a diesel truck must not be good for me any more than second-hand smoke. But, when does my desire for pure air impact people’s freedom to drive diesel?
Does purity become legalism? Does my desire for purity of heart drive me to legislate my standards upon others’ lives? Let’s face it, in my desire for a pure heart, I avoid certain TV programs, movies, books, and music. I’m considered a prude, a goody-two-shoes.
Why is my desire for purity seen as legalism? Is it that I demand others to follow my standards…or does purity of heart convict the impure and they try to extinguish the light with ridicule?
If I hold my purity as a way to keep me from loving, from engaging, as a standard that I demand for others, it can become legalism. That is, it is legalism for them…something they are doing because I’ve laid down the law. For me, it is purity of heart, a desire to be uncluttered in my devotion to the Lord. Unfortunately, what is purity of heart for me can too easily be just legalism for the next person who isn’t concerned about an uncluttered heart and unfettered love for Jesus.
For, bottom line—purity of heart is all about a desire for Jesus and a distaste for anything that gets in the way of seeing Him.
And, my next question…are purity of heart and a cluttered desk inconsistent?
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Wow, I can totally relate, Dad!! Like father,like daughter. I think the world sees so much true legalism and rules from people that DON'T have a true passion for Jesus and purity of heart that it get's muddled. They have to wait and get to know your heart in order to trust where you are coming from at times. I definitely feel the pull to hide my passion for Jesus for fear of others misunderstanding and thinking I am prideful. Alot to ponder and bring to Jesus. Thanks for sharing your heart Dad! It is beautiful and your genuine purity of heart has always inspired me. Thanks be to Jesus for His gift of purity, goodness and redemption!
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