When we mourn over our sin, our hearts are purified!
Imagine that the beatitudes have been grouped in stacks of four. The first through the fourth on one side, the fifth through the eighth on the other. Notice how the first principle, “Happy are the poor in spirit,” relates to the fifth, “Happy are the merciful.” When our stubborn, rebellious spirits have been broken, we are then able to be merciful.
Also notice how the second principle, “Happy are those who mourn,” relates to the sixth, “Happy are the pure in heart.” Purity of heart comes from having faced up to the reality of who we really are inside. It comes from having looked into the mirror of our souls, seen the unspeakable and mourned over our moral and spiritual imperfection, permitting the master potter to create a new heart within us.
Living in the Now
Being a Christian doesn’t mean living an unnatural life. It doesn’t mean escaping from reality. Rather it means living in the now, knowing who we are and to whom we belong. It means living with a clear definition of our problems, knowing that with God’s help we can face the impossible and stand in the winner’s circle. It means sailing through the stormy seas of life smiling in triumph, transforming adversity into opportunity.
By the same token, having a pure heart doesn’t mean we’ll be free from conflict or live a life without controversy. It won’t spare us from the harsh realities of life.
Just think about Jesus. He had a pure heart, and He lived in a controversy every minute from Bethlehem’s manger to resurrection morning. He was born part of a despised minority. The legitimacy of His birth was questioned. He was called a drunkard, a heretic and a demonized madman by religious leaders. The state had Him put to death as an insurrectionist.
No, a pure heart won’t get us out of conflict and controversy. It may well be the very thing that gets us into it.
Source: Being Happy in an Unhappy World
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