This week Bro. Leo continues our study of the “be attitudes” with a look at the purity of our heart at the point of our salvation.

In Matt.5:8 the word “heart” is translated from the Greek word “kardia” which means the physical heart, inner self, inner thoughts, intentions, affections and desires. The “kardia” is the real you.  Here are a few conditions of the heart described in the Bible: negative conditions-darkened, blinded, deceitful, hardened, worldly, unconcerned spiritually heart and many more. Positive conditions-searching, enlightened, convicted, contrite or broken, compassionate, pure, selfless heart and many more.

In order for our hearts to be cleansed there has to be three entities working on us at the point of our salvation.  1) Word of God  2) Holy Spirit  3) Blood of Jesus Christ.  And we have to be willing to cooperate with these three entities (Rom.1-21-22).

It is very difficult many times for us to recognize our true spiritual condition (Jer.17:9-10).  That is why it is so important for us to pray for God to reveal to us our true “kardia” (Psa.139).

In 2Cor. 4:3-6 we are told that it is the Word of God that changes our blinded heart.  The word of God has the supernatural power to penetrate and change our hearts (Heb.4:12-13, 2Pet.1:19, Acts 2:37).

At the point of our salvation there were three entities working on our hearts, 1) Word of God penetrated our hearts (we willingly cooperated), 2) the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from our sins, 3) the Holy Spirit indwells us (Acts 15:5-10).

“Divine operation can never work without human cooperation”
-Spiros Zodhiates

Scriptures used in today’s study:

Mat 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Mat 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Mat 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Act 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
Act 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
Act 2:24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
Act 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Act 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Act 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
Act 15:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
Act 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Act 15:8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Act 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?