By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

Those who lack a clear purpose of heart will be easily shaken by the circumstances of life. Persecution will make them to backslide by resorting to compromise. But those who are saved and sanctified, and prioritise maintaining their purity of heart in order to get to heaven, have purpose of heart. Their spirit will be persevered in a good way, such that they will not turn in the way of unrighteousness.

More so, it takes purpose of heart, if our “mouth shall not transgress.” The decision and consecration we make today, to have a purpose of heart like Daniel will prepare us to be used of God in the coming chapters of our lives.

Holiness or purity of heart is not obtained solely by personal effort. People with fake holiness, describe their purity of heart by what they do or avoid doing. Holiness is rather an experience the Lord promised and gives to the saved. After they are purified in heart, He then empowers them to fulfill their ministry. He has promised to grant pure heart to all true believers.

Christ emphasises that only those with pure hearts “shall see God.” These individuals see God when they pray and when they face challenging and threatening conditions. God shows up for them in times of difficulty, whether in life or ministry, when only He can provide a solution. In addition, Jesus said: “Heaven and earth shall pass away,” but His promise for a pure heart “shall not pass away.” Purity of heart and partaking of the rapture are not promises for a community. Therefore, having the experiences requires personal dedication and expectation.

Only the pure in heart “shall ascend into the hill of the Lord.” Nothing else, not even the ability to heal, manifest power, authority or perform miracles, can qualify anyone to stand in God’s presence on that day. Only holiness confers such privilege. That is the reason holiness experience is not possessed, but by fervent prayer of faith.

Prayer is essential to possess a pure heart, which is not given accidentally. Rather, it is an experience we must desire and pray for actively. The Psalmist, after examining his heart and recognising his need for purity, pleaded with God to, “purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” This should be the prayer of those who genuinely seek a pure heart.

We should ask God to remove from the heart, every stain of sin and the nature of selfishness and disobedience, and rebellion, the attributes of the old sinful man evident in the life of Adam in the garden of Eden. Such prayers must come from a sincere, passionate and desirous heart. As we request the promised cleansing and purging from God, we must not fail to “ask in faith,” trusting that nothing is impossible with God.

There is need for power to accompany a pure heart. After Christ prayed for His disciples’ sanctification, He instructed them to wait in Jerusalem until they received power. This power enabled them to give witness of the gospel of salvation everywhere they went. While peace is for salvation and purity is for sanctification, power is for Holy Ghost baptism. We should not give up one because we have the other.

• Further reading (King James Version): Matthew 5:8. Ephesians 2:14,15; Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:7,9.

Matthew 5:8; Hebrews 10:14,16,22; 1 Timothy 1:5. Psalm 17:3; Daniel 1:8. Matthew 5:8; 24:35; Psalms 24:3,4; 89:34. Psalm 51:7,10; Ezekiel 36:26,37; James 1:6. 2 Chronicles 16:9; Luke 10:27,19; Acts 1:8. Matthew 5:8. Genesis 26:2-5,12; Jeremiah 1:12. Jeremiah 18:7,8. 2 Peter 1:19; Luke 1:45.