Teaching Notes

A Pure Heart

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. - 2 Corinthians 7:1

First, let us look at the first part of Paul's message. He states, "since we have these promises". What are the promises Paul is writing about? If we go back and read the chapters before Paul urges the fellow workers to receive God's grace and he reminds them that about salvation. The promise is that God will save us and give us the help we need to follow him.

So, the promise you and I have is that God will save us and strengthen us to do what is right. Because of these promises, Paul encourages the reader to purify themselves of anything that keeps the body and the spirit from being in harmony with God.

The first place thing that must be different before actions can change is the heart. We must do like David did and ask God to give us a pure heart and give us a right spirit. If we change our hearts, or what is important to us we can see change in our lives and the things we do.

If someone is going to stay pure sexually, it has to be a matter of the heart. Your parents can tell you why not to be sexually active for all the right reasons, but if you have not decided within your heart that you desire to be obedient to God, you will not flee from sexual sin.

If someone is going to live a holy life in actions and deeds, if the heart has no desire for godly things, then no amount of coaxing a person to do right will make it happen. If you are going to live a life pleasing to God, the love for God and the love of God must be firmly planted in your heart.

This month of July, take a close look at your actions. Do the things that are important to you reflect God? If they do not, then how can you expect to live a life that reverences God without his help?  I pray for us this month that we would begin to do as David did and ask God to change our hearts.

We need God to give us a pure heart so that we can desire pure things. We need a pure heart so that what we do will not be sinful in the eyesight of God.

Let's pray: Lord, help me to receive and live in your promise of salvation and freedom from the sins that so easily captures mind, spirit and body.. Help me Lord to live a life that is pure. Help me so that my heart will be turned to you and your will. I desire Lord to live a life pleasing to you, but I also acknowledge that I am not able to do that by myself. I need your love dwelling in me. Help me is my prayer. Amen.