Purifying the Heart

Suggested Scripture:
James 4

Key Verse:

Come near to God and he will come near to you.
Wash your hands, you sinners,
and purify your hearts you double-minded.
(James 4:8, NIV)

How then can we begin to close the gap that yawns between us and God? Our first step is to come clean. By coming clean, I mean we need to realize that we cannot hide anything from God. He already knows our comings and our goings both for now and forever. He knows our innermost thoughts and secrets-- things we sometimes barely even acknowledge unto ourselves. To come clean before Him means that we come to Him with the full realization that we are unworthy.

Submitting to God involves openly admitting we are sinners. As we lay before Him our faults and failures, our hearts begin to be purified of all unrighteousness. We must ask God to rid us of false pride as we confess our sins. A heart that has been purged of sinfulness is available to accept God's forgiveness. It is within that forgiveness that God speaks his love to us and purifies our hearts all the more, washing us in the pools of His grace.

Let us purify our hearts to make room for the love God has to give. Let us stop pursuing our ambitions thinking that there are material things or even personal relationships that will fulfill us. God has so much to offer if only we would ask.

Reflecting Pool

What comes to mind when you think about being purified?

Do you feel close to God? Is your heart free and available to be filled with His love?

Of the things mentioned in James, Chapter 4, which one(s) keep you from having a close relationship with God?