Posted on 04/19/2016 7:03:13 AM PDT by metmom
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8).
The way you think determines the way you behave.
God is concerned about the way you think. That's why Paul said, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Rom. 12:2). In Philippians 4:8 he instructs us to think about that which is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and praiseworthy.
When Jesus spoke of a pure heart in Matthew 5:8, He was talking about sanctified thinking. The Greek word translated "heart" is kardia, from which we get the word cardiac. While we often relate heart to the emotions (e.g., "He has a broken heart"), the Bible relates it primarily to the intellect (e.g., "Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders"; Matt. 15:19). That's why you must "watch over your heart with all diligence" (Prov. 4:23).
In a secondary way, however, heart relates to the will and emotions because they are influenced by the intellect. If you are committed to something, it will affect your will, which in turn will affect your emotions.
The Greek word translated "pure" in Matthew 5:8 means "to cleanse." In the moral sense it speaks of being free from the filth of sin. It also refers to something that is unmixed, unalloyed, or unadulterated. Spiritual integrity and sincere motives are appropriate applications of its meaning to the Christian life.
Jesus was saying the kingdom citizen is blessed because he or she has pure thoughts and pure motives that together produce holy living. Someone might say he's religious and has pure motives, but if his behavior isn't righteous, his heart isn't fixed on God. Similarly, you can go to church, carry a Bible, and recite verses, but if your heart isn't clean, you haven't met God's standard.
You must do the will of God from a pure heart (Eph. 6:6). Toward that end, make David's prayer yours as well: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Ps. 51:10).
Suggestions for Prayer:
Memorize Psalm 19:14 and make it a part of your daily prayers.
For Further Study:
Read the following verses, noting the characteristics of a pure heart: Psalm 9:1, 26:2, 27:8, 28:7, and 57:7.
A little over a year ago I was involved in a discussion on another forum about the EMP protocol. It would take 4-5 low yield nuclear devices detonated strategically over the US at a distance of about 1-1.5 miles to pretty much put us back into the dark ages. Back in the 70’s John Aristotle Phillips designed a nuclear device that would fit into a suitcase. He was a “C” level student. This was before the internet.
One EMP detonation over the Eastern US would end American economic supremacy. There is a reason millionaires are leaving the Eastern cities ...
Just so you know Thales is an agnostic, not an atheist. He is a pretty decent guy. He and I have had several chats off thread and on a different forum. He has a strong background in Philosophy and has studied most of the major religions.
With that name I suspected he was aware of the teachers of the ‘great Philosophers’. You’re so eclectic, Verga. There was a time, long ago and far away, when I too was an agnostic. God’s Patience always amazes me.
Thank you for the response. It certainly makes quite a bit of sense when the background facts are presented. I could see/ understand “god’s” justification for the destruction of Sodom based on the narrative of Genesis.
I am sorry if my query's offended you in any way, I felt it was important to point out the hypocrisy of others I was seeing.
The very exercise of pointing out what you perceive as hypocrisy is a gotcha. But every gotcha is founded upon whatever level of understanding you may have reached.
The Hebrew word translated as 'murder' into English is actually 'murder'. There is a great difference in murdering and killing. It revolves around the heart of the one doing the action. I call an abortionist doing any abortion presented to them 'a murderer'. That abortionist sleeps at night by calling himself/herself something very different from a murderer. Most abortionist will admit they are killing a living unborn child. But they will not accept the title of 'murderer' because in their heart they know murdering is a great evil.
Errata: “The Hebrew word translated as ‘kill’ into English is actually meaning ‘murder’.”
The evidence is all around you. When you open your eyes and look in the mirror, you see the evidence of God's handiwork. Whether you choose to acknowledge it or not is your choice but doesn't change the facts.
B) If he does exist: Why not offer those residents the opportunity to come around to his way of thinking?
we do and He does. It's through Scripture, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
Jesus invites everyone to come to Him. The way is open to everyone and is easy enough for a child to avail themselves of it.
If you don't, it's your CHOICE.
It certainly isn't because God didn't give you the opportunity.
C) Can anyone claim they are acting as his agents and kill anyone?
Sure they can. Lots of people do it. But murdering someone in the name of God is not going to and well for them.
I am not this "god" of yours and it is not my view we are discussing.
Evasion duly noted.
Now there's a PERFECT example of cross threading.
Homeschooling was not mentioned at all until you brought it up.
So you're a *victim*.
Poor baby.
Nobody can help what happens to them in life but they can help how they react to it.
Man up and quit being the victim.
If you're going to go through life whining and complaining about how bad you had it, carrying resentment and a chip on your shoulder, you are going to live a miserable life and make it miserable for everyone around you.
Presuming you are an American and you have had the privilege to be born in live in the US, you live in the freest, most prosperous country this world has ever seen. You have access to all the education you could desire, the best medical care available. You are clearly sitting in front of a computer I presume you own. Do you have a job, a car, a home, indoor plumbing, electric, heat?
A warm dry bed to sleep in? Clothes to wear, money for and time for leisure activity to do as you please? Are you free to travel where you want when you want? Do you have enough food to eat and clean water to drink?
You are blessed beyond what most people in this world could even imagine.
And you choose rather whine about being a *victim* of homeschooling.
Well, you can't change the past. You might as well let it go and move on. You'll be far happier in the long run.
So you have a chip on your shoulder about homeschooling and I'm the target of your animosity?
Yes, I homeschooled my 3 kids and they all did fine, and I do advocate for it, but do not hold me accountable for your experience. I am not answerable to you for your experience or anyone else for their experience. Hold your parents responsible for it and quit taking it out on others.
Evasion duly noted
we do and He does. It's through Scripture, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Jesus invites everyone to come to Him. The way is open to everyone and is easy enough for a child to avail themselves of it. If you don't, it's your CHOICE. It certainly isn't because God didn't give you the opportunity.
Again evasion duly noted. Supply proof that this "god" of yours provided the opportunity(s) he provided to the Jewish people.
Sure they can. Lots of people do it. But murdering someone in the name of God is not going to and well for them.
seemed to work our pretty well for the 12 tribes. They got some good land etc....
Yes we call your unwarranted over the top reaction PROJECTION. BTW I believe the “cross thread” prohibition is limited to the religion threads. Nice try.
The entire of Creation witnesses to the fact that The Creator has been at work and you are one of those created things. Once you can comprehend the meaning of THAT, well, His still small voice is most persistent. But until honesty with self arrives, all His whisperings will get drowned out by the world and all its charms. If you want just the world, have at it. Augustine realized, after full indulgence to self gratifications that there is much more if one grows up.
What would you consider proof that you would find acceptable?
Cause what I’ve noticed is that agnostics and atheists demand *proof* and everything anyone offers is dismissed off the cuff as inadequate for one reason or another.
NOTHING is good enough for them.
What unwarranted reaction?
To what specifically as I addressed several topics in that response and exactly what am I projecting??
I wanted to give this very carful consideration. Either someone told me or I read on a ping list that you or someone in your family had a serious health issue. If that issue is cured with in say a month or two I would consider that sufficient proof.
Seems like a win win.
I do, but if a miracle would convince you, watch this brief video.
It has documented evidence that it shows.
Aaron Shust shares Michael’s miracle story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVRy-t3S0ts
Aaron Shust is a Christian recording artist who for the most part writes his own music. I doubt many people out of Christian circles have ever heard of him.
My health issue is very rare and has not been tested as thoroughly as I think could be. The medical community as a whole is not interested in something that does not have an easy fix and the tests are expensive.
Well then I would definitely be convinced.
And would you take my word for it?
Seems that you were looking for *proof* in the other issues you raised.
I was born at night, but not last night. A certified medical certificate would be considered proof.
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