Encouragements for our troubled times No. 71
COVID-19 Series | Date: 29 July 2021
The Elders and Deacons want to encourage the members and those who regularly meet with us through this weekly letter. If you have news which you would be happy to share with the fellowship or request for prayer, then please let us know.
A message from our Pastor
Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
“O, the blessedness of the pure in heart.” But how can we have a pure heart before our God? The world talks about having a pure heart but they only mean being singlehearted with no hypocrisy or hidden motive. But, as far as God is concerned, a pure heart is one where there is no sin; only then are we fit to stand in the presence of the Holy One (Psalms 24).
Firstly then, to have a pure heart before our God we must be washed and cleansed from all our sins by the blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In and of ourselves we cannot hope to gain a pure heart by good works or personal merits as all our own righteousness is like filthy rags to our Pure and Holy God. Therefore, the only way for us to have a heart that is acceptable to our God is through the blood of our Saviour. He must remove our sin, cleanse our hearts, and in effect, give us a new heart, and clothe us in His righteousness. Then, and only then, can we be acceptable to our God.
Secondly, after we have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, we must seek to be holy in all that we do and say and think and feel. It’s not enough to be a Christian we have to live as a Christian. Our God calls us to “be Holy, for I am Holy.” Even though we will never be holy in ourselves whilst here on earth, our God expects us to be striving, all the time, to be what we should be. We need to put away sin, kill off the desire for the sinful things of the flesh, resist the devil and flee temptation. We need to grow in grace and the knowledge of our Saviour, and fill our hearts and minds with Heavenly things. This is an ongoing process that is never completed while we are here on earth.
Thirdly, although we will never be completely free from sin here, we will be in Heaven. Then, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, when we are raised, we will be purified and finally free from all sin. Then we shall be fit to stand in His presence and we shall see God face to face. As Job says in Job 19 vs 25-27, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; and after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” What a privilege for sinful men and women to be raised to such an honoured position.
Does your heart yearn within you for that day?