Firm Foundation with Bryan Hudson

FINAL DAY 21 – Daily Bread is More Than We Realize | 21-Day Devotional on Jesus’ Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 6:11, Give us this day our daily breadGod is a God of provision and detail. Jesus stated that the hairs on our head (or lack thereof!) are numbered (Luke 12:7). This is a saying meant to convey God’s deep concern for His children.This part of Jesus’ instruction to His disciples on prayer was very simple, but there is profound truth behind it. Some of explanations of this text include (From William Barclay’s Commentary on the New Testament):1. The bread has been identified with the bread of the Lord's Supper.2. The bread has been identified with the spiritual food of the word of God. Taken to be a prayer for the true teaching, the true doctrine, the essential truth as our food.3. The bread has been taken to stand for Jesus Himself. Jesus called himself the bread of life (John 6:33-35)4. The bread has been taken to be the bread of the heavenly kingdom. Luke tells how someone said to Jesus: “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” (Luke 14:15).“Daily” Bread Has a Special MeaningThe Greek word “daily” is only used here and in Luke’s Gospel of the same prayer: ἐπιούσιος – epiousiosIn the early part of the 20th Century a papyrus fragment (a material which people used for writing) was found with the Greek word, ἐπιούσιος, on it. The papyrus fragment was actually a shopping list! It was a note to remind the person to buy supplies of a certain food for the coming day.From this context, the literal meaning of “daily bread” is: “Give me the things we need to eat for this coming day.”This simple prayer for our everyday needs reveals FIVE truths:1. We understand that God cares for our bodies. Jesus showed us that; he spent so much time healing men's diseases and satisfying their physical hunger.2. We understand to live one day at a time, and not to worry and be anxious about the distant and unknown future.3. Praying for daily provision puts God His proper place in our lives.4. This pray reminds us of how prayer works.5. Jesus did not teach us to pray: “Give ME my daily bread.” He taught us to pray: “Give US our daily bread.”The problem of hunger in our world is not a lack of provision. There is enough to go around. The problem is a lack of distribution. This prayer teaches us never to be selfish in our prayers. 
 
It is a prayer that we can help answer by being obedient to God and showing the same level of concern/detail for the needs of others as for ourselves. This prayer is not only a prayer that we may receive our daily bread; it is also a prayer that we may share daily bread with others.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
 
How has your understanding of Give us this day our daily bread been expanded? What will it change in your lifestyle?
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DAY 20 – Your Kingdom Come. Your Will Be Done. | 21-Day Devotional on Jesus’ Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount

For these final two days of our 21-day devotional, we're going to look at a couple of statements from the “Disciple’s prayer,” that we mistakenly call the “Lord’s prayer.” This was the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray.
Today, we will consider Matthew 6:10, Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
In our final lesson, we will consider Matthew 6:11: Give us this day our daily bread.
Throughout His time on the earth it was evident that the Kingdom of God was central to the message of Jesus. 
Jesus said, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” (Luke 4:43)
To be in the Kingdom is to obey the will of God. The Kingdom is in fact the most personal thing in the world. The Kingdom demands the submission of my will, my heart, my life. It is only when each one of us makes his personal decision and submission that the Kingdom comes. (Barclay)
Given this understanding, it certainly makes sense that part of our daily prayer would be for God to make his kingdom present and active among Christ followers. We live within systems of our society, such as our economic systems, political systems, and educational systems. We are also citizens of God's kingdom which affords advantages that are not available to civil kingdoms. This would include righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.  (Romans 14:17-18).
What does this mean? Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Contrary to the false ideas and idolatry of Christian nationalism, that seeks to integrate their views of the Bible into every aspect of government and society, Kingdom living is mostly a matter of our devotion to God and behavior toward others. People who try to insert the Bible into civil laws and culture neglect the reality that unsaved people cannot obey the Scriptures––something only possible by the help of the Holy Spirit. (John 14:17) It seems that some people wish to impose a Christian form of Muslim sharia law. God’s kingdom is not of this world, though we are salt and light to the world.
I suggest that God’s will being done “on earth” must first happen in “earthen vessels”–– you and me. There are those who believe that God’s will being done on earth is essentially advocating a Christian “take over” of systems of this world. 
The truth is this: Everything in this present order will be destroyed, not preserved and presented to Jesus when He returns:
“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:10-13)
Jesus did not advocate a “take over.” He preached the Gospel of the Kingdom which is God’s love, righteousness, joy, Christ-like character, and good works infused in our lives and lifestyle. 
I believe this is the more biblical understanding of “Your Kingdom Come. Your Will Be Done.”
Reflection Questions:
1. How is kingdom living different than a desire to “take over” systems of this world?
2. What does doing God’s will “on earth” look like to you?

Salt & Light = Influence & Help | Message by Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

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The Salt Principle
Matthew 5:13 , "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.”
There were four uses for salt
1. To Purify: Indicated by is brightness, ability to soften hard water and remove toxic metals
2. To Offer: As currency, and something required with offerings by the ancient Hebrews
3. To Preserve: As a chemical that retards decay in meat, allowing storage without refrigeration
4. To Flavor: As an enhancement to the taste of food
Leviticus 2:13, God gave a command to the Hebrews that included the use of salt; “And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.”
Mark 9:50, “Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”
You Are Light - Designed to Help
Matthew 5:14-15 , You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

DAY 19 – Make It Plain. Add Nothing To It. | 21-Day Devotional on Jesus’ Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:33-37, You have heard that it was said by the people of the old days: You shall not take an oath falsely, but you shall pay your oath in full to the Lord. But I say to you: Do not swear at all, neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God, nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King, nor by your head, for you cannot make one hair black or white. When you say, Yes, let it be yes; and when you say, No, let it be no. Anything which goes beyond that has its source in evil.
We live in a world where people have used the phrase "alternative facts” or attempt to justify their actions with a phrase like, “Well, the depends on what the meaning of ‘is’ is.” A more recent response on the part of George Santos now famously lying about being a Jew: “I didn’t say I was Jewish, I said I was Jew-ish.”  We live in a world where you can go into an electronics store and ask for something, only to be told, "Yes we have it…what does it look like?” Rather than say, "I don't know,” many would rather create an illusion of knowledge. 
The other side of that coin is when people discover that someone was faking knowledge, all credibility is lost. When this happens at an institutional level, institutions become untrusted.
As people, we have surprising little actual power. We can mix things together, like the ingredients for a cake, but we don’t actually invent things like wheat to make flour or chickens that provide eggs.
It is far better to “under-promise and over-deliver” than “over-promise and under-deliver.” Swearing to (or committing to) actions that require powers we do not possess is foolish, not to mention doomed to fail. Jesus taught His disciples and others listening in to “make it plain.” Let “yes” be yes and “no” be no. 
I am amused by people who offer me something to which I may say “No, thank you,” followed by the response, “Are your sure?” Sometimes my response is, “I already answered the question.” We live in a world where people are conditioned not to accept your answer because are not clear with our answers.
There is also this worthless response to an invitation, to which some people respond, “I will try” or my favorite, “I might try.” Just say, “no,” if that is your intention. 
It is interesting that in His Sermon on the Mount Jesus dealt with these matters which seem quite trivial. But the reality is that small things in life, added together, become the sum total of our lives. 
So, make it plain and add nothing to it.
Reflection Question:
What vague and evasive behaviors or habits do you need to stop and replace with brief, honest responses?

DAY 18 – The Day Religion Died | 21-Day Devotional on Jesus’ Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount

The Day Religion Died
Matthew 5:17-20, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Over the history of humanity, among people who claim to follow God, there has been a tension between what and who is right or wrong. 
There have always been religious leaders who have placed themselves over people as the standard for all others and doing so while claiming God’s permission and a superior station in life. But those people, like the Pharisees, have always been the wrong ones.
This became clear when Jesus entered the religious scene of his day. He made a distinction between God’s intended purpose, and what religious leaders were actually doing. Yes, God did give the Ten Commandments and other statutes to Moses on Mount Sinai and they were designed to be understood, and followed by God’s people. However, we know from Paul’s writings that the Law was intended to reveal the futility of trying to obey the Law in one’s own strength (Rom. 8:3–4) as well as point the people to Christ. (Galatians 3:24)
Paul wrote, “The Law is good” (1 Timothy 1:8), but the problem was the sin nature and weakness of humanity as revealed in their (and our) inability to consistently do what God wanted. We know in history that religious leaders added 600+ lesser rules and man-made “commandments.” In all of this, religious leaders gave (and still give) people a false sense of security, that if they do what was told them, they would be “right with God.”
During Jesus’ time on earth religious leaders imposed rules such as “Sabbath ay’s journey” in which now now was allowed to travel more than 2/3 mile, or mandating practices such as ritual hand washings, and much more.
What is noteworthy is that Jesus routinely broke their laws, while always being true to Moses’ and God's law. One day He healed a man on the Sabbath and told him to pick up his bed and walk, which was “work”  and forbidden on the Sabbath. Think about it: To be critical of a man being healed a significant disability because it was done on the WRONG DAY!
On another occasion, Jesus and his disciples were condemned for eating without doing ceremonial washing of their hands––something related to man made rules, not God’s law.
As I write this during Black history month, I'm reminded of the civil disobedience of the people of Rev. Dr. King’s era. They sat at lunch counters that were “whites only,” thus breaking laws. Dr. King said, “It is just to obey a just law and it is unjust to obey an unjust law.” We see that Jesus practiced a form of religious civil disobedience. You could say, He protested religious injustice. 
Jesus said, “Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus undermined religious systems while paving the way for hearts to be changed by the Holy Spirit though something called the “New Birth.” (born of the Spirit) There are spiritual disciplines, things we do such as regular prayer and serving others, which may be considered as “pure religion” (James 1:27), but nothing we do is for the purpose of gaining God’s favor and “earning” His righteousness.
A highly education, respected, and religious-establishment man named Nicodemus received a lesson from Jesus about a new reality:
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus forever changed the paradigm for what it means to be righteous and to walk with God, but religious leaders wanted to hang onto the old ways, maintain control over people, and present themselves as gateways to God. Sadly, we see this same behavior until this day. 
As a pastor, I am a spiritual (or “religious”) leader, but I know better than to present my righteousness above the righteousness of God as revealed in Christ. We don't need to follow the example of “Pharisees,” when we have Jesus, the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit. Our job today is to lead people to Christ, then “shepherd” them in their relationship with God and understanding of the Word. We are are all equal in God’s sight. Our purpose and roles differ, but the Body of Christ is designed to edify, or “build up,” one another.
Reflection Questions:
1. How did religion die when Jesus presented a new reality with His Sermon on the Mount.
2. Why is trying to live by man-made rules ineffective as compared to the being “born again" and following Christ?
3. Why is the righteousness of trying to keep manmade rules lesser than the righteousness of God of Christ
 
 
 
Matt. 5:17-20 
17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
At a first reading it might well be held that this is the most astonishing statement that Jesus made in the whole Sermon on the Mount. In this statement Jesus lays down the eternal character of the Law; and yet Paul can say, "Christ is the end of the Law" (Rom.10:4). 
Again and again Jesus broke what the Jews called the Law. He did not observe the handwashings that the Law laid down; he healed sick people on the Sabbath, although the Law forbade such healings; he was in fact condemned and crucified as a law-breaker; and yet here he seems to speak of the Law with a veneration and a reverence that no Rabbi or Pharisee could exceed 

DAY 17 – Being Light as God Intended | 21-Day Devotional on Jesus’ Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:14-15, You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 
For many of us who are not naturally outgoing, and even somewhat introverted, the concept of being a light to the world, goes opposite our nature.
But Jesus made it very clear that what He gave us was not only for us. The life, peace, and joy that we possess was designed by God to be shared. It is part of the purpose for which he created us. What we don't need to see is a show or any kind of a spiritual circus act–bringing glory to self, and not to God. There are many ways to let your light shine without treating it like a spotlight meant for performing.
Jesus said, "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John.9:5). When He said to His disciples You are the light of the world, it was a call to rearrange their priorities to serve God's greater purpose. We always have our privacy, but we do not dishonor God by allowing our light to be hidden.
Jesus did not say, “You are the light of the Church.”  He said, "You are the light of the world.” 
Three purposes for your light:
1. God designed light to be seen. This how we hold public meetings, publish works, use social media, and more. Just because I do things the wrong way does not mean we should do nothing. That would dishonor Jesus, while honoring human arrogance.
2. Light is a guide: and in our world of bright lights, we could not imagine existing in darkness, living only by candlelight at night as people did for centuries. When we shine our light, we help people. When we do not allow our light to shine, we permit the hurt and pain of people to continue.
3. Light can be warning. Just as can show the way to good places, it can also provide advance warning of dangers ahead.
So let your light shine by making the best of the opportunities God has provided.
Reflection questions:
1. In what ways is your light, your good works, seen by others?
2. How is your life, as a light, guiding others?
3. In what ways does your life, as a light, help others avoid dangers?
 

DAY 16 – The Salt Principle | 21-Day Devotional on Jesus’ Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.”Considering our topic today, I would you answer this question: “Who are the people who have made a difference in my life?”The answer to this question reveals the “salt” principle. Historically, there were four uses for salt.1. To Purify: Indicated by is brightness, ability to soften hard water and remove toxic metals2. To Offer: As currency, and something required with offerings by the ancient Hebrews3. To Preserve: As a chemical that retards decay in meat, allowing storage without refrigeration4. To Flavor: As an enhancement to the taste of foodA single word that can best describe the function of salt is INFLUENCE.In Leviticus 2:13, God gave a command to the Hebrews that included the use of salt;“And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.”God wanted the people use salt, not for flavor or for preservation. He wanted the people to include salt with all their offerings because it represented God's influence in their lives.Jesus said, for salt to lose its taste and saltiness, is equivalent to a loss of influence––not our influence over others, but God's influence in us. Jesus in Mark 9:50, “Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”This is an example of the salt principle at work inside the believer that can have the effect of bringing peace with others. We cannot hope to influence others positively if we are not being influenced by God.As Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
REFLECTION QUESTION:How does salt represent God’s influence?ACTION ITEMS BASED ON TODAY'S LESSON:

DAY 14 – The Blessing Of Getting Into “Good Trouble” | 21-Day Devotional on Jesus’ Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount

Matt. 5:10-12, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you." 
We value a life free from difficulty. There’s nothing wrong with that desire, but life doesn’t always work that way.
We all face difficulties and challenges related to our purpose and tasks. If you are into customer service, you know what it’s like to be personally criticized for something that was not your doing. People are often frustrated and feel the need need to vent to whomever seems to be closest to what frustrates them. If the mail carrier delivers an overdue bill, some people become angry at the person who is only doing his or her job. If one did not study well and then fails an examination, being angry at the teacher does not make sense. There are things about human nature that are irrational and illogical, but this is the reality of human nature.
I remember when I was in art school as a 20 year old, I had a professor who was strict. He seemed to always be critical of my work. One day I called him a racist thinking that he was singling me out because I was Black. His response was “Bryan, you are delivering substandard work. I expect better and you can do better.” I felt that I was being persecuted, but in reality my professor only objectively identified where I was coming short of the standards of this prestigious art school. 
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake…” 
In this statement, He was not talking about everyday life. Jesus spoke specifically to those who were serving God's purposes, not their own. Persecution is suffering in the service of doing God‘s will. Because many people are at odds with God and living opposite His values, they lash at those who represent God’s purposes and values.
Persecution can take many forms. Apart from martyrdom (death), which is obviously the worst form of persecution, all other forms are intended to inflict some level of emotional pain, mental distress, with the aim towards discouraging further activity in His name. Examples include:
• Physical attacks
• Abusive words
• Rejection of one's message
• Refusal to support
• Slander and speaking negatively to others about the person serving God
But as we like to say, “Don’t get it twisted!” Peter explained:
“Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.” (1 Peter 2:20, NLT)
Getting in trouble for doing wrong IS NOT persecution! When you suffer for doing good, THIS IS persecution.
As Paul instructed Timothy, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12)
So, the blessing of being persecuted for righteousness sake is that we are in the “good company” of Jesus Christ and all those who suffered doing God’s will. From another context, we remember the late, great John Lewis, who famously said, “Speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” 
We should do the same and more for the Gospel of Christ!
Reflection Question:
For God’s purposes, what “good trouble” have you experienced?

DAY 11 – Are you a Peace Lover or a Peace Maker? | 21-Day Devotional on Jesus’ Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount

Matt. 5:9, Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called sons of God.
In Greek, the word for peace is eirēnē (εἰρήνη), and in Hebrew it is shalom. In Hebrew peace is not simply the absence of trouble. In the Bible peace means not only freedom from all trouble, it means enjoyment of all good. 
Jesus did not say, “Blessed are the peace lovers.” He said “Blessed are the peace makers.” It is not enough to desire peace, but take no action to help bring it about. The spirit of peacemaking is being willing to act to bring about a better state for people.
William Barclay wrote, “The peace which the Bible calls blessed does not come from the evasion of issues; it comes from facing them, dealing with them, and conquering them. What this beatitude demands is not the passive acceptance of things because we are afraid of the trouble of doing anything about them, but the active facing of things, and the making of peace, even when the way to peace is through struggle.” (Barclay's Commentary on the New Testament:)
As I write, we are celebrating Black History Month in the United States. The work of leaders such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was an excellent example of being a peace maker. Dr. King was not just a peace lover, he did actual work to bring peace to others. Ironically, the efforts of brave Americans and Christ followers in that era revealed the hatred of white supremacists as well as the indifference of people who were content to “love peace,” but do nothing.
“We must find new ways to speak for peace… for justice throughout the developing world, a world that borders on our doors. If we do not act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength without sight.”  (M.L. King, Conscience and the Vietnam War, The Trumpet of Conscience, 1968) 
The ultimate work of peacemaking, is helping people become reconciled to God, casting off their hostility to truth, rejection of light, and violence against the Holy Spirit through rebellion. 
The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:14-16,
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation…so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace
Jesus very life became the testament of breaking down the barriers that separated people from God. Jesus estimate peacemaker.
Reflection Question:
How is being a peace-maker more than being a peace-lover?

DAY 8 – The Strong Pull of Motivation | 21-Day Devotional on Jesus’ Beatitudes and Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:8, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 
All the Beatitudes are lessons in basic living and possessing core character attributes. Being “pure in heart” is essentially operating with good and godly motivations, which answers the question: “Why am I doing what I do?”
We are all motivated by something: Items such as the desire for money, security, fame, fear of rejection, adoration, being helpful, controlling others, fulfilling a “hidden agenda,” pleasure, or other motivations. The whole reason for being a Christ follower and becoming a “new creation in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17) is to experience a change of heart and motivation. In Christ, motivations should revolve around pleasing God, learning His ways, handling our responsibilities, loving/serving people, and doing His will as we understand it.
As a 19 year old, before becoming a Christ follower through the “new birth” at age 21, my motivation was to go to church, not to hear the Word and grow in Christ, but to see young ladies and “hang out.” We now call that behavior “church-wise,” which was akin to being “street-wise” – knowing just enough to “get over” and survive, but not to change for the better. 
I was not pure in heart, and did not fool discerning adult believers who were paying attention. All that changed on July 8, 1978 when I had a genuine encounter with the risen Christ! (No time to share details here). All of the Beatitudes, which I had heard, but did not understand, became reality in my life.
The Greek word for pure is katharos (καθαρός). It is defined as: Clean, free from corrupt desire, sincere, genuine, blameless, innocent.
Nothing in us, apart of Christ, can achieve purity. That is not to say that people cannot be good and productive, but there are things only God can do with the human heart.
Again, Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” 
It is not that God forbids access to people who are not pure in heart, or hides himself. It is more that, any person controlled by motivations that are not genuine cannot see God because He is unrecognizable.   
We’ve all had the experience of looking for something, but looking in the wrong place. The heart that is fundamentally impure either searches in wrong places, such as man-made religion, or is not interested in seeking God at all.
Being or becoming pure in heart is not something we can “work at,” it is a state of being like water being in a state of solid, liquid, or vapor. Only God can change the state of a person’s heart, and only a relationship with God through Christ will open that door.
Reflection Question:
In addition to your ideal core motivations as a Christ follower, what other real motivations control you? What needs to change?