Do you want to have a large group of friends? Do you want to influence influential people? Do you want to make a positive difference in the world you are living? Do you want to be known as the person everyone wants to be friends within your church, office, or school? It seems that God has made us all to desire personal interaction with others. He has made us creatures that desire fellowship and companionship. I have noticed this even with our young grandchildren. Our latest grandson’s name is Gavin Patrick. Gavin is now nine months old. When you pick him up, he stares into your eyes and looks you in the eye with a deep and longing look. My wife was holding him last week and she was busy doing something else. He leaned across her body to be able to look her right in the eyes!
I believe that even the youngest child desires attention and the focus of others. God gave us a great key to ensuring that you will be building meaningful and lasting relationships with others. If you want others to want to be with you, and to have fellowship with you, here is the key. “He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend” (Proverbs 22:11). Popularity can come with a cheap price-tag. Even a drug-dealer can be popular … but for all the wrong reasons. Popularity with the right people comes with a high price-tag. If you want to influence leaders and “kings” you must love a pure heart.
A pure heart … Check out these other verses that speak about a pure (or clean) heart, and the results of having a pure heart: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (I Timothy 1:5). “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (II Timothy 2:22). “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22). “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (I Peter 1:22).
I think God is interested in us having a “pure heart!” This is an area I believe each of us struggles with every day. The effort will be worth it when we see the results God will bring. Others, including leaders, will want to be around you if you come with a clean and pure heart! Surrender today!