Matthew 5:8; Job 36:11; 1 John 4:20
The first condition for enjoying the benevolence of God is Purity of Heart. Matthew 5:8 says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." This promise is not only to be fulfilled in Heaven but even here on earth, as we fellowship with Him. The heart is the engine room of man's activity and the headquarters of human existence. The reason Satan so desires the heart of man is that it is that which controls a man, like a car's steering, driving his daily activity in paths either good or bad. Thus, every action originates from the heart, be it, love, goodness, hate or evil. That's why the Lord of the Church says that only those who are pure in heart can truly be pure outwardly (in their eyes, hands, body, dressing, marriage and other spheres of life). The heart leads them to be pure. Mark 7:18-23. The first condition for enjoying the benevolence of God is Purity of Heart. The devil targets the heart because he knows its power; after all, it was the sin in his heart that brought him down- Isaiah 14:14; Revelation 12:7-9. Brethren, The first condition for enjoying the benevolence of God is Purity of Heart.Remember, it is not what goes into a man’s tare that defiles him, but rather, what comes out of his heart.
When the heart conceives a thing and ponders over it, it will then produce either good or evil. And there is no place that a sinner, or an evil person, a pretender or liar will hide that the Lord will not see them. He says in Jeremiah 17:9-10, " The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." Therefore, even if your parents/friends/spouse/children are unaware of the evil in your heart, the Lord is aware. He sees all. Another reason the devil is seriously after the heart of man is that he knows that when the heart of a man is entirely engaged in the single pursuit of walking with God, that man can reach his desired aim of loving, fellowshipping, following and serving God. Thus, he pursues after the heart of that man, to corrupt it. The first condition for enjoying the benevolence of God is Purity of Heart.When the heart is right, the whole body will be right; but when the heart is wrong, the whole body will be wrong. Friend, 'If the angels, who could be deceived in their hearts to sin against God, were not spared from judgement, will any man who pursues sin be spared?' 'Will you be spared?’Genesis 6:1-3; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6. If you will obey the holy commandments of the Lord, you will be spared.
One of the guarantees God gives His children is Prosperity, ranging from the physical to the material to the spiritual to the eternal kind of prosperity. It is the benefit of true children of God - 3 John 1:2. The Lord made Adam and gave him dominion over every other thing created, laying them all at his command; and they enjoyed true prosperity before iniquity came. So, as Christians, there is no need to be envious as the riches of the wicked - Psalms 73:1-3, 17-19. Our first parents (before sin) never lacked, but dwelt in constant supply from the Kingdom of Heaven as we would if we dwell in obedience to the Word of the Lord continually, till the end. Jesus said in John 14:1-3, "In My Father's House there are MANY mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.." Prosperity talks about SATISFACTION, to a point wherein there is no want for anything; and we know it is the Father's good pleasure to give us the Kingdom. He desires to give the good of His Treasure House if only we are pure in heart.
But how can the heart of a sinner be cleansed? Psalms 24:3-6. It is by being born again. You must acknowledge that you are a sinner, before you can be born again (whether or not you have tried in your strength to be free from sin). It is by the Spirit, Word and Blood of Jesus that a man can be saved from sin. When he is cleansed, and now led by the Word of God, he will be free from sin and able to access the gifts of God. Are you amongst this generation that is pure completely, (both inwardly and outwardly), Or are you amongst those with evil and wanton eyes? Many confess/claim to know the Lord Jesus; but in demonstration of the power of the Kingdom, it's love, righteousness, holiness and outreach to the unsaved, they deny Him. 1 Corinthians 4:20. Purity of heart is not a choice or opinion, but the Lord's Commandments before anyone will see Him. It is the holy and constant guarantor we have received, which can make us enter the Holy Heaven and see the Holy God. Leviticus 10:10. There must be a difference between the holy and the unholy, the righteous and the unrighteous. 1 Peter 1: 14-16. There are many people who have go to lengths and even extra lengths, travelling places to get evil powers to pull crowds and to do wonders, just to run a Church. This is not of God. Purity precedes power and power precedes prosperity.
Having power or prosperity without purity results in a very deadly condition. If you have power without purity, you may not last the test of time. Therefore, 'to as many as received Him (Jesus), to them gave He POWER to become the sons of God.' Elisha, after receiving a double portion of Elijah's spirit, misused the power he received - 2 Kings 2:23-24. And many today still misuse power and Church authority. But when our Lord was on earth, even when He was advised to call down fire from Heaven upon His enemies as Elijah had, He refused, stating that He was of another Spirit, and not of Elijah. He was of a pure Spirit. Therefore, this power is given for the transforming of lives - Ezekiel 11:18-20 Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:9-11.When you have grace, power and anointing, use them to increase the Kingdom of God by serving others. They are for the transforming of lives. Acts 1:8, 2:3-4, Philippians 4:13. In the same vein, many Christians will be carried away as the Antichrist, in the last days, will do so much wonders and signs. Revelation 13:12-17. Therefore, we must be careful in discerning the power that be of God from the powers of hell. How? By the Word of God. The Power that be of God always is for the destruction of all the works of the devil, including sin - 1 John 3:9. To secret to enter the Kingdom of God, is not in words but in the power of the Kingdom.
Conclusively... Until your purity and holiness comes from the heart you will not be able to overcome. Purity produces power, prosperity and many other good virtues including victory over the vices of the enemies. Heaven's visa is purity/holiness (Hebrews 12:14); for it is a place prepared for the holy and purified; and there will the pains and tears of this world be taken away - Revelation 21:1-7; Revelation 22:12-15. But, if you are not pure in heart, you will not be able to see Him who He is holy, pure and righteous. His abode and everything therein is holy. Thus, to see Him you must also be holy. Friend, the Word of God in your heart helps you to live holy. The conditions for enjoying all-round prosperity is OBEDIENCE to the Word of God. And if you are holy, how blessed are you!
REMAIN BLESSED.
Pst Ig Nwabuo