Pure Heart: Keeping Our Accounts Short With The Lord

Pray for a tender conscience. One that is easily pricked - red flagging us when we falter - strengthening us to quickly turn, fleeing to the foot of the cross for cleansing and forgiveness. Sin never gets prettier when it persists. Never. It is amazing how low we can go, is it not? Quick repentance is always key. Nip sin quickly. Remember, we are living our best lives when we seek repentance – a turning from sin to Him. And He is always waiting and willing to forgive. A brief read of the Prodigal Son story in Scripture confirms this.

God often refines our hearts in the fires of affliction. It serves as one of the best ways to produce the character of Jesus within us. Indeed, Paul tells us in Romans 5:2-5 (NIV): “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Trials are intended to improve our character. God goes to great effort in conforming up into the image of His Son. And refining take place in high heat. As the heating of gold to skim the dross, God uses what we go through to bring the “dross” to the surface. The “dross” of anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, deceit and a host of other sins. He brings these to light so that we may effectively deal with them through His power and for His glory and for our good. We are not to run around wringing our hands like Chicken Little, rather we prayerfully wait on the Lord and do the next right thing. Everything allowed is pregnant with purpose. And our circumstances will reveal what lies deep within our hearts. Remember Scripture tells us the heart is deceitful beyond all cure.   

When our hearts are tested we see what God saw all along. To be sure it is humbling (as well as frustrating). Sometimes we deal with a particular sin all our lives. Continue to run back to the foot of the cross, keeping our accounts short. God often tests our hearts so that we can see clearly what lies deep within them. And it is never really a pretty sight. We can be so self-deluded. Yet this knowledge helps strengthen us when we encounter the next trial. He teaches us by degrees but He does not break us. And He is infinitely patient in this process. He knows what we need and thankfully remembers we are but dust. His goal for us is always purity of heart. Oftentimes, God’s grace arrives in His merciful refusals. He is far more interested in our character conforming to Christ than our immediate comfort. All the while His grace flows freely in His merciful refusals. What we truly want is Him – more and more of Him.