Psalm 24, Part 1: Clean Hands and a Pure Heart
|
Psalm 24 expands Jesus’ statement from the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
The foundational requirement for citizenship in God’s kingdom is purity.
Jesus “did not speak one word to flatter the men of the highest authority, the worldly dignitaries. But He presents before all the traits of character which must be possessed by the peculiar people who will compose the royal family in the kingdom of heaven. He specifies those who shall become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Himself. He proclaims publicly His choice of subjects, and assigns them their place in His service as united with Himself.” Vanity and deceit must not be found in the Christian who is pure in heart. What does it mean to have a pure heart? “True religion does not consist in mere outward conformity to religious ceremonies; it controls the heart and produces purity of thought and sincerity of motive.” Thus, even our thoughts must be brought under control lest we sin by wishing to commit an act while refraining from taking overt action. “God’s law reaches the feelings and motives, as well as the outward acts. It reveals the secrets of the heart, flashing light upon things before buried in darkness. God knows every thought, every purpose, every plan, every motive. The books of heaven record the sins that would have been committed had there been opportunity. God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing. By His law He measures the character of every man. . . . God has a perfect photograph of every man’s character, and this photograph He compares with His law. He reveals to man the defects that mar his life, and calls upon him to repent and turn from sin.” “I would be true, for there are those who trust me; / I would be pure, for there are those who care.”
