Jesus declared: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” “Pure in heart” is a divine requirement, not a human. As with everything that Jesus lived and taught, this purity has to do with our relationship with God, not with a standalone human integrity. This purity is found in divinity, and therefore can only be manifest in man through reflection.
So who is pure? The safe answer is, “God only knows.” To be sure, the more elevated one’s profession the more likely one’s purity falls short.
As Jesus observed of the leading professors of his time: “all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,” 1
A life in harmony with the world, i.e. the carnal mind, spells doom to living in harmony with God. “More than profession is requisite for Christian demonstration. Few understand or adhere to Jesus' divine precepts for living and healing. Why? Because his precepts require the disciple to cut off the right hand and pluck out the right eye, — that is, to set aside even the most cherished beliefs and practices, to leave all for Christ.” 2
A tough row to hoe? Yes, if we cling to those most cherished beliefs and practices. But fortunately, “Trials purify mortals and deliver them from themselves, — all the claims of sensuality.” (MBE) Surely this was what St Paul meant when he said ”we glory in tribulations.” Yielding those cherished beliefs and practices has its reward: “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 3
In the larger context of God’s plan for us, we rest our case with the following benediction of St John (I John 3):
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Dwelling on this enlightened view, we get a glimpse of The Way: “The periods of spiritual ascension are the days and seasons of Mind's creation, in which beauty, sublimity, purity, and holiness — yea, the divine nature — appear in man and the universe never to disappear.” 2
1 Matthew 23
2 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy
3 Philippians 4