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  PURITY OF HEART AND LIFE
  by C.H. Spurgeon
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Summary: Purity of heart is essential for seeing God, and it is only
possible through Christ Jesus and the purification of our hearts.

Topics: "Purity of Heart", "Seeing God"
Scripture References: Psalm 24:3, Matthew 5:8

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DESCRIPTION
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C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the vital importance of purity of heart,
asserting that true cleanliness comes from the Spirit and the Word,
leading to outward holiness through obedience. He explains that our
affections influence our understanding; if we love evil, we cannot grasp
goodness, and a foul heart results in dimmed perception of God. Spurgeon
highlights the privilege of seeing God, which is granted to the pure in
heart through Christ, and stresses that this vision is contingent upon
the removal of sin from our hearts. He encourages believers to pursue
godliness, echoing Moses' desire to see God's glory, and reminds us that
the hope of seeing God inspires us to purify ourselves. Ultimately, he
prays for purity of heart so that we may fully experience God's
presence.

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CONTENT
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Blessed are the are pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)

Purity, even purity of heart, is the main thing to be aimed at. We need
to be made clean within through the Spirit and the Word, and then we
shall be clean without by consecration and obedience. There is a close
connection between the affections and the understanding: if we love evil
we cannot understand that which is good. If the heart is foul, the eye
will be dim. How can those men see a holy God who love unholy things?

What a privilege it is to see God here! A glimpse of Him is heaven
below! In Christ Jesus the pure in heart behold the Father. We see Him,
His truth, His love, His purpose, His sovereignty, His covenant
character, yea, we see Himself in Christ.

But this is only apprehended as sin is kept out of the heart. Only those
who aim at godliness can cry, "Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord." The
desire of Moses, "I beseech thee, show me thy glory," can only be
fulfilled in us as we purify ourselves from all iniquity. We shall "see
him as he is," and "every one that hath this hope in him purifieth
himself." The enjoyment of present fellowship and the hope of the
beatific vision are urgent motives for purity of heart and life. Lord,
make us pure in heart that we may see Thee!

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ch-spurgeon/purity-of-heart-and-life/
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