God, with His great wisdom, has commanded us to “let the word of Christ dwell in [us] richly, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16). With melody and repetition comes memorization. Important ideas and doctrines in scripture are etched in our mind. “Purer In Heart, O God” teaches a lesson that is essential for salvation.
“Purer in heart, O God, Help me to be.” Purity is impossible for man to attain on his own. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin defiles our lives. Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). Children know no wrong. Their minds are as pure as can be. We cannot expect to reach heaven as an impure individual. We must, like children, be pure. This is only accomplished through Christ. Without the blood of Christ we cannot be made pure (cf. Hebrews 9:13-14, 22-23, 28; 10:12-14). The blood of any other will not suffice (cf. Hebrews 10:4).
“Watch Thou my wayward feet, guide me with counsel sweet.” In order to continue living a pure life we must let Jesus guide us. His word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our way (cf. Psalm 119:105). Without it we will fall back into an impure life. He is our “friend and guide” and we must continue to do His will “most lovingly,” for love is the bond of perfection (cf. Colossians 3:14).
“Reign Thou my soul within.” Paul said, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). The only way Christ can live in us is by us abiding in His word. We must let the word dwell in us (cf. Colossians 3:16). By doing this, our inward man is “renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Colossians 3:10). Through this transformation we realize the only way to live is by being a sacrifice for God (cf. Romans 12:1-2). Then “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).
“May I devote my life wholly to Thee.” We have to be all in to be considered pure before God. “Friendship with the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4). We must not be double minded, rather, we must fully submit to God and purify our hearts (cf. James 4:7-10). If we are lukewarm we are impure, and just like we spit out impure food, Christ will vomit us out (cf. Revelation 3:15-16). “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this…to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). We must not let the world stain our robes that have been purified by the blood of the Lamb (cf. Revelation 7:14). A call to purity is a call to a life that is unequivocally dedicated to God.
“That I Thy holy face one day may see.” Anyone that has any interest in spiritual things longs to see God. This can only happen through purity. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). God is the epitome of purity. For this reason it is impossible for God to be in fellowship with anything that is impure (cf. 1 John 1:5-7). Our goal is heaven, and heaven is where God resides. We cannot expect to be allowed in a place who’s streets are laid with pure gold if we ourselves are impure (cf. Revelation 21:21).
“Purer In Heart, O God” encourages a life of purity before God. Attain purity with the help of God and His word, devote your life wholly to Him, and you are promised to see His face for eternity.