Mercy and purity of heart

Read Matthew 5:7-8

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The first four Beatitudes trace a progression in regard to ourselves and God which establishes that kingdom living is not achieved through self-effort but by our reliance on God (2 Cor.12:9). From that emerges Christ-like character towards others and that’s the focus in the second set of Beatitudes.

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In our poverty of spirit (3), our own great need is for God’s mercy which he freely give us when we call upon him in penitence and faith (Mic.7:18; Eph.2:4). And therefore he wants and expects us to “be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (7; Lk.6:36; Eph.4:32). On the cross, Jesus forgave his executioners (Lk. 23:34) – likewise we are called “to forgive everyone who sins against us” (Lk.11:4). It’s mercy, not religious practice, which God looks for (Mt.9:13).

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The “pure in heart” (8) are those who mourn their hearts’ impurity (4). It’s always the heart – our inner being – which matters to God (1 Sam.16:7; Acts 15:8-9). To have a pure heart is to have a single-minded devotion to God, free of hypocrisy and deceit (Mt.6:24). So seek an “undivided heart” (Ps 86:11) for, amazingly, the promised blessing is that then one day, somehow, we will see God (1 Jn.3:2-3).