Children of God Have Pure Hearts

“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue 
righteousness, faith, love, peace 
with those who call on 
the Lord out of a pure heart.” 
(2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV)

    Over the past few months we have studied about these noble and necessary pursuits and as our study of 2 Timothy 2:22 is coming to a close we have looked at what it means to call on the Lord – to appeal to Him, trusting Him and obeying His instruction no matter what – and this week I would like to look at the necessity of a pure heart.

“Behold, what manner of love 
the Father has bestowed on us, 

that we should be called children of God! 

Therefore the world does not know us,

because it did not know Him.

Beloved, now we are children of God; 

and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,

but we know that when He is revealed,

we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is, 

and everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself,

just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3 NKJV)

    Are you a child of God?

    Do you have the hope found only in Jesus (1 Peter 1:3-5)?

    If you answered ‘yes,’ you need to be purifying yourself – making your heart morally pure and right in God’s sight – you need to be continually turning away from youthful lusts and diligently running toward being more righteous, more faithful, more loving, and more desirous of peace with both God and man!

    When we work daily at purifying our hearts, seeking God and humbly obeying Him in all we do, we are better able to help others in reaching their spiritual goals. Each one of us should desire to be this kind of helper, to be an example to those around us, to be an encouragement and a giver of good, godly advice to those who are walking alongside us on the Narrow Way.  

    If the Lord wills, next week we will look at another verse that will help us know how to purify our heart and then see how 2 Timothy 2:22 is an instruction that will lead to mature Christians and a healthy church!

 Until then, continue to pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of pure heart and remind yourself daily of the wondrous truth that God loved us SO much that we can be called His children - let that fact spur on your continued purification of your heart and mind!!

You can do it! So can I!!