“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” — Matthew 5:8
This beatitude is one of the most profound and mysterious promises Jesus offers. It raises deep theological and existential questions: Is a pure heart even possible? Is purity the only way to see God? And what does it mean to “see” God?
Let’s begin with a simple answer to the question, Is a Pure Heart Possible? Yes—but not by human effort alone. Scripture and tradition affirm that purity of heart is a gift of grace. All humans come into the world with a self-centered heart. All are sinners. However, God, through Jesus provided a way for those sins to be forgiven and hearts to be made pure in God’s eyes.
Is it possible that Jesus was also addressing the pure heart issue the way that we read about in the Old Testament? Consider Psalm 73
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
Psalm 73:1-3
The psalmist suggests that a pure heart is one that is undivided in devotion to God. It is a heart that is as free from deceit, hypocrisy, and selfish ambition as is humanly possible. More importantly, it is a heart that is cleansed by God’s Spirit, not merely by ritual or moral effort, as the religious leaders in Jesus’ day wanted people to believe.
Jewish tradition held that seeing God’s face was fatal. Exodus 33:20 says, “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” So how could Jesus promise that the pure in heart would see God? Here Jesus seems to be emphasizing spiritual sight, not physical sight. He’s contrasting the Pharisees’ emphasis on ritual with Spiritual perception, recognizing God’s presence, character, and glory.
In the Jewish context in which this Sermon on the Mount was being taught, many might have thought Jesus was talking about experiencing the favor or presence of God. They might have thought about songs they had learned as youngsters:
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.
Psalm 24:3-4
Contemporary Christian writers and theologians agree that changing one’s heart requires actions. It is not passive. Max Lucado writes, “You change your life by changing your heart.” He sees purity as a process of surrender, confession, and transformation. In his Beatitudes series, Tim Keller emphasizes that purity is not perfection but a heart aligned with God’s grace and truth.
To be pure in heart is not to be flawless—it is to be wholly devoted. Jesus’ promise is not reserved for the elite but offered to the surrendered. The pure in heart see God not because they are perfect, but because they are open, honest, and transformed by grace.
How do you get there? Here’s a biblical roadmap:
Learn more about becoming a Christian and letting God purify your heart. Check out our post: How does one become a Christian?
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