We continue our 40-day journey deeeeep into the ♥ of Jesus.
We’re sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to the greatest sermon ever preached: the Sermon on the Mount.
The world says: Purity is boring and outdated. Sex sells. There’s no such thing as sin. Anything goes.
Jesus says:
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)
I was raised by Mike and Carol Brady.
I spent approximately 87% of my formative years parked in front of the TV watching reruns of shows like The Brady Bunch, Leave it to Beaver and I Love Lucy.
A document called The Motion Picture Production Code governed what Mike and Carol and Ward and June and Desi and Lucy could and couldn’t do on TV. Here are some examples:
- “Impure love” could never be portrayed as “attractive and beautiful.”
- Married couples (even Lucy and Desi who were married in real life) couldn’t be shown in the same bed.
- Naked navels were never ever permissible.
- “Pointed profanity” was forbidden, including any non-reverential use of “God” and “Jesus.”
- Dances which included “indecent movements” were prohibited.
- Even the mere sight of a toilet was considered too impure. As a result, the Brady kids were all forced to share a single toilet-free bathroom.
Wow. Things have changed a little bit.
The modern world mocks purity. Jesus mandates it. And not just in our actions — in our hearts.
But how on earth can we be pure in this rather filthy world? Here’s one suggestion straight from the Bible:
How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. (Psalm 119:9)
Here’s another:
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)
And another:
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
Want to see God? Have a pure heart. Jesus says.
If you’re at all like me and aren’t 100% pure in heart at this moment, here’s a little prayer from David — called a “man after God’s own heart” — to pray right now:
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
(Image credit: Shutterstock.com)
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