The Message of the Teachings on the Mount (11)
By Abraham Eli
This study was first taught on December 30, 2009
Topic: Blessed Are... (6.3)
(use the audio to study)
Background
Following from our last two studies, we established that we need to care for the inner, invisible man which endures to eternity (the heart) much more than we are caring for our outer, visible man which is perishing (the body). We also noted that we cannot be hypocrites or pretenders, saying one thing with our mouths, but really, doing something else in our hearts.
Last week, we observed that the natural man is in the likeness of Adam, and therefore, has a sinful and incurably bad heart or nature. We also established that God�s desire has always been to dwell in man, but not in his old Adamic heart. Thus, we noted that the old heart must of necessity be changed: this change takes place at the new birth. Once the new heart is introduced into an individual, he needs to be filled with the Holy Spirit and with the word of God, in order that God may dwell in him! Thus, for the Holy Spirit to be within us, the old sinful nature must be done away with; otherwise, we may creep back into sinful living. And so, the new man who is created in the likeness of God (thus, having the mind of Christ), remains new and fresh as he yields to the constant in-filling of the Holy Spirit. For without this constant in-filling, the new man slips back into sin, and hardness of heart, and will be unable to receive the word of God, thus making him unable to effectively display God�s life, purpose, plan, principles, precepts, and so on, in his life.
We observed, however, that it is not just a new untested heart/man that God desires to carry His glory; but a new and proven heart/man. Hence, our Lord Jesus, like Adam, was led to be tempted by the Devil, but unlike Adam, He passed with a resounding victory, thus the Father could dwell in Him beyond measure. For the individual whose trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is given to help him live right and obey God�s word, and thus pass the test, when the Tempter comes. This overcomer is the pure heart, and with this man, God is well pleased, and will dwell in him. This is the man who will see God!
Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 5:8; Psalm 15:1-6; 2 4:3-4; Hebrews 12:14; John 5:19
Tonight, we conclude this sub-series, "pure in heart", as we seek to maintain this new man, so that we can continually see God in our lives. May the Holy Spirit help us to maintain pure hearts, in Jesus' name, Amen.
The pure in heart will not only be indwelt by the Almighty, but will himself dwell where God dwells, see God, and be able to do what he sees God doing. Indeed, the possibilities are endless. But what is our experience? And why is our experience different from that which the Lord Jesus had while here on earth?
Matthew 12:43-45; Psalm 119:9, 11; Romans 12:2; Matthew 13:19-23; Hebrews 3:15-19; 4:6-11; Matthew 9:17; Isaiah 59:1-3; 1 John 1:5-9; Psalm 32:3-5; Hebrews 9:14; 10:22; Acts 7:51-53; Judges 16:4-21; Jeremiah 4:3-4; Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Romans 2:28-29; Colossians 2:11; Revelation 2:1-5; Isaiah 6:1-8.
Conclusion
The pure in heart is one who indeed is blessed by reason of the presence of God in him. God cannot and will not indwell a man (and thus His glory will not manifest), if the man does not have a pure heart: clean thoughts, the mind of Christ, emotions under the control of the Holy Spirit, and a godly nature. This is the man who will see God, and who will be able to replicate here on earth, the will of God which He shows him!
For us to maintain heart purity so that we can always know and do God�s will, and see it revealed in us, we must have a transformed nature by reason of the action of the word of God coupled with the operation of the Holy Spirit in the heart. Sin must be avoided like a plague, as it cuts off our link with God, and thus stops us from seeing what is happening in heaven, and manifesting the glory of God. Therefore, once sin is detected, we must immediately deal with it through the blood of Jesus. When, however, sin is not immediately dealt with, and is sustained in the life of a man, he becomes hardened and unyielding to the nudging of the Holy Spirit; he becomes plainly religious, attending church without manifestation of the power of God to do good works; and is pre-occupied with the affairs of this world and life. If nothing is done, such an individual ends up condemned to eternal damnation. But thank God for His intervention through circumcision of the heart, which involves the ploughing of the stony heart, and the cutting off of the sinful nature, and thus enable us to love and obey God, and do His will.
If we are to continue to see God and the things He is doing and thus replicate them here on earth, we must maintain a pure heart at all times through constant in-filling of the Holy Spirit, yielding daily to His dealings in our lives through the word of God, and pray always (Matthew 26:41; Luke 18:1).
May the Lord help us to remain supple in our hearts, and love and obey Him at all times, so that He can bless our lives with His presence, show us things that the natural man cannot see, and use us for His glory here on earth, and in eternity all that He has promised those who live for Him (1 Corinthians 2:9-11).
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