Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8

How excellent things are spoken of the love of our neighbor! It is “the fulfilling of the law,” “the end of the commandment.” Without this, all we have, all we do, all we suffer, is of no value in the sight of God. But it is that love of our neighbor which springs from the love of God: otherwise itself is worth nothing. It behooves us, therefore, to examine well upon what foundation our love of our neighbor stands; whether it is really built upon the love of God; whether we do “love him because he first loved us”; whether we are pure in heart: for this is the foundation which shall never be moved. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

“The pure in heart” are they whose hearts God has “purified even as he is pure”; who are purified through faith in the blood of Jesus, from every unholy affection; who, being “cleansed from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfect holiness in the [loving]
fear of God.” They are, through the power of his grace, purified from pride, by the deepest poverty of spirit; from anger, from every unkind or turbulent passion, by meekness and gentleness; from every desire but to please and enjoy God, to know and love him more and more, by that hunger and thirst after righteousness which now engrosses their whole soul: so that now they love the Lord their God with all their heart, and with all their soul, and mind, and strength.

Compiled by Al Bryant, "The John Wesley Reader", Word Books. This book is currently available on the used book market. Please check the used book venders for this book at IMARC.