By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

Our goal should not only be to have a pure heart to make it in the rapture; it should also be to receive power to serve God acceptably, preach the gospel to others persuasively and bring them to the Lord deliberately. God wants to show Himself strong and powerful to those whose “heart is perfect toward him.” Such people’s hearts are full of love for God and their neighbours. However, possessing a pure heart while manifesting love without power, or sympathy without supernatural authority, is not enough. We must seek this power that protects from harm and enables us to witness to others powerfully, as we reconcile them to God.

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” This is not just a promise, but also a prophecy that God is faithful to fulfill in the lives of those who seek Him for the experience of purity of heart.

God’s word will surely be performed for those with pure and obedient hearts. Isaac’s story illustrates this truth.

Despite being in an unfavourable environment where the locals opposed him and sand filled the wells he dug, God remained faithful to His covenant. “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him.” Similarly, regardless of whatever has happened in the past, if we stay in the place God has assigned to us, we will experience prosperity, progress, promotion and blessedness.

Those who choose obstinacy and impurity instead of a pure heart will forfeit God’s blessings. This was the fate of Saul, Solomon and others who neglected God’s promises due to disobedience.

However, God’s mercy offers a second chance to those who abandon their evil ways and return to Him, like the people of Nineveh who repented en mass after Prophet Jonah declared an imminent judgment from God for their numerous sins. God’s promise is, “I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.” If sinners repent and return to God genuinely, all prior negative pronouncements on their lives will be revoked and God’s blessings will still be theirs.

Although the prophecies by prophets of old were fulfilled, we have “a more sure word of prophecy” from the only Potentate on high in the new covenant. This prophecy promises that our lives will be filled with light, not darkness, destruction or demonic devastation. More than that, the “day star (will) arise in (our)hearts” to guide us on the path of light and “there shall be a performance” of God’s word in our lives. As our hearts are purified, we will see God’s presence in all that concerns us, as well as in the lives of those for whom we intercede. Ultimately, we will see God face-to-face on the final day and receive great rewards.

• 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.