Do you have a heart for God? Do you strive for righteousness in your life? In order to live a life that is dedicated to service for Christ, it is important for you to have a heart for God and always seek righteousness.
Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Your heart will reflect what you value most in life. If you value material things, your actions will support it, but if your heart is for being a servant of God and being obedient to His Word, the evidence will be in your actions as you live in following Jesus Christ.
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God.
Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.
A person with a pure heart will demonstrate, through his or her life, their trust in God’s Word in all that they do.
There are three different kinds of hearts that one can possess:
1. Evil heart – the person who possesses an evil heart is filled with wickedness and iniquity (Genesis 6:5)
2. Carnal heart – although saved, the person with a carnal heart still desires the things of the flesh (1 Corinthians 3:3).
3. Pure heart – a person in training as to service to God who possesses a desire for God’s Word, His commands, and His way of life.
A person who desires to have a pure heart must be willing to examine himself or herself and is unwilling to be contaminated by any outside elements that would thwart these efforts. The person with a pure heart operates without mixed messages or ulterior motives…everything is about working for the glory of God. God knows the intent and real motives of everyone.
1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore, don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.
How do you develop a pure heart?
Proverbs 22:11
The one who loves a pure heart and gracious lips–the king is his friend.
A person who uses kind and thoughtful words in his or her speech will build up others and not tear others down. Words will be spoken in truth but also in love.
1 Timothy 1:5
Now the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
Love comes a pure heart and does not demand any love in return. It is the agape love that does not act out of selfishness or any insincerity.
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
A person with a pure heart will run from evil desires and those people who are not good influences in their life, as well as confusion and argumentative behavior. In contrast, he or she will seek the company of those who support the quest for righteousness, fairness, love and peace.
What are the results of the developing a pure heart?
- God is good to those with pure hearts (Psalm 73:1).
- He or she will receive the Lord’s blessings…
Psalm 24:4-5
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not set his mind on what is false, and who has not sworn deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
- A steadfast spirit, which leads to a righteous spirit for everyone to see (Psalm 51:10).
- The ability for others to see God’s righteousness in your actions…a great, positive influence in the lives of others (Proverbs 22:11).
Akron Alliance Fellowship 