Meanwhile, back in the Land.

Christine DiGiacomo
2 days ago
4 min read

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/2b1dda9f/meanwhile-back-in-the-land-james-no12

**standing on the Mt. of Beatitudes looking at the beautiful Sea of Galilee!**

hmmm... Realizing that James was passionately penning his letter to those he wanted to live well with God, I cannot help but wonder where in Jerusalem he wrote. How I love that beautiful old city! [looking at a February, 2027 Israel trip!]

'Welcome' to those who have recently joined us! Should you wish to read the previous James posts, you can go to www.pastorwoman.net, Morning Briefings.

In Words, Words and Words, https://conta.cc/4fBW2uY, we heard James' stern warnings to the young Christians, particularly those who were not together with the Jerusalem church, but who had fled the city because of persecution--

BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR WORDS

Our passage: James 3.1-11, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James%203.1-11&version=ESV

Be careful with your words--

--especially if you are a teacher or an influencer, (maybe like a parent?)

Be careful with your words--

--doesn't matter if your words are spoken, texted, posted on Instagram or X

But come to think of it, is it our communication that is our root problem? hmmm...

Tsk, tsk, the answer would have to be 'no'. Our root problem is our heart and what's in it. Who better to address the heart than our Lord?

I can visualize Jesus on this same hillside-(pictured above)-probably seated on a large rock or tree stump, looking up, gazing over the crowds feeding on his every word . . . "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." It was the sixth such thing he had said, following 'blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, and the merciful...' When I want to take personal stock of my character and my heart, I can consider these things and ask: Am I humble? In my mourning, do I run to God? Do I seek the good of others before my own? Do I want to know and live the righteousness of God? Oh, and am I merciful to others? hmmm...

At the time Jesus gave this sermon just above the Sea of Galilee, He was becoming quite a sensation--teaching people about himself, his Father, and a new way--to repent and turn away from their sins. His teaching, the love he showed to all and his miraculous works caused people to follow him. They were attracted to him and wanted to be near Jesus. But on this particular afternoon, Jesus was giving an insiders' talk, meant for those who had already made up their minds to follow in the dust of the Rabbi.

"Jesus, what does it mean to you for imperfect human beings to be pure in heart?" Pure means unadulterated, unaffected, uncontaminated . . . in essence, clean! The pure in heart have no ulterior motives. You see, our motives are not always known by other people, but they are seen by the Lord.

Purity of heart is to will one thing, Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard quipped. And so I inquire of the Lord, "God, what is that one thing? To be found righteous in you . . . to think your thoughts after you, dear Lord. To know that we are your 'poema', your workmanship, created by you to do good works before the world began.1 Purify my heart, Lord Jesus. Cleanse me of all that is not of You. Sweep away motives that bring glory to me and not to you - you know, things that will make me look good, rather than you. Help me release people of my expectations of them, so I do not hold them prisoner in my heart. Quiet my mind of my fears of not meeting others' expectations; remind me that I play to an audience of just One. Quiet my heart. Purify my heart, Father."

What other truths can we pen, meditate upon, memorize so that our hearts are drawn to the pure, which then guards our words also?

>"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."2

What does it mean to be pure in heart? It means to be without guile; holy.

> Work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord 3

>Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy4

>Live in holiness and honor.5

>You must be holy, because I am holy.6

Purity of heart is to will one thing: to be found in God. And still, Friends, it is not a striving that God is after; it is not struggling to hit a benchmark of just so much righteousness or goodness--he wants our hearts. When we love him and give ourselves to him, it is he who works in our hearts, transforming them for the good. That is why I love John chapter 15, where Jesus is sitting with his disciples, his best friends, inviting them--aye, inviting you and me--to abide in him, because then he will abide in us. And here's the thing: when we are with him, we glimpse how it sure is possible to be pure in heart. And that is key since ...whatever is in your heart determines what you say.7