The Secret to Seeing God

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
​-1 Corinthians 13:12

As a maturing believer, I have a burning desire to see and hear God more accurately. I often ask to know more of God. Sometimes I hear from you readers asking similar questions: How do I know what God wants me to do? How can I be sure I will see Him leading me, or hear Him guiding me? I want to know Him, but I have trouble seeing Him!

God’s solution to these everyday questions is a secret that Jesus revealed in the Sermon on the Mount.

In a quiet time one morning this week, the Lord reminded me of His secret, saying: “An honest heart is the most valuable of currencies. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
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In other words, authenticity is our heart’s currency in the Kingdom of God. To see God more, we need a pure heart.

​A Pure Heart

Some of my very best friends are quite blunt; they do not hesitate to speak their minds and do not sugarcoat their words! I love the secure feeling that comes from always knowing where I stand with them. I never wonder if they really mean something different when they say this or that; I know that they speak the truth from their hearts. How I wish I had more friends like these!
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Jesus appreciated this quality, too. When Philip first brought Nathanael to Jesus, the Lord said, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” (“no guile,” in some translations). “I saw you under the fig tree,” Jesus tells him, “even before Philip called you.” (John 1:47-48.) Nathanael was someone with a pure heart.

This exchange between Jesus and Nathanael is a poignant one which shows us that God is looking at the “real you” when He sees you. He sees the condition of your heart within you, not the “you” you primp and present to the world. Scholars believe it is likely that Nathanael prayed regularly, as so many other Jews did, under a shady fig tree, and Jesus “saw” his faithfulness there – by the Spirit.

When you pray, are you honest like Nathanael? Are your prayers heartfelt and authentic, or do you hold your true feelings back? So many of us have been taught that prayer is impersonal, ritual, or follows set patterns and protocols. Yet Philippians 4:7 tells us that we can pray “all kinds of prayers and supplications.” Praying authentically from the heart somehow releases to us the blessing of seeing God for who He is as well. 

One of the most important signs to me that something is amiss is when I cannot pray wholeheartedly. (Or love sincerely, for that matter!) I have found that being “Spirit-led” is very much related to being open-hearted. Peace in my heart is a sign that I have brought everything fully to Him. (See Philippians 4:7 for more on how to do this.) Honesty in my heart gives me the ability to hear Him better.

The promise Jesus gave to Nathanael for being pure of heart was this: “Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Did you catch that? Jesus was saying, as He did in Matthew 5:8, that because Nathanael had a pure, honest heart, he would “see” in the Spirit. What a blessing!

Believe it or not, it is important to God that we “see” Him and find our way in this challenging life. From the pillar of fire in the wilderness, to Jesus seeking out blind Bartimaeus after He healed his natural eyes, we find that God’s desire for us is not just to see physically, but to have our spiritual eyes opened. I long for more of that, and praise God, we have Bible verses that show us God is chasing us down to make sure of that! 
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​Purity, Holiness, and Authenticity

Here’s what’s interesting to me: purity – and even holiness, according to the dictionary - is not the same as what we call perfection. Our goal is not to live life perfectly or without sin - only Christ can do that.

Our goal, rather, is to set ourselves apart in devotion to God (holiness) and be heart-level honest with Him about our failings, allowing Christ to cleanse and restore us to a place of innocence (purity). That is authentic Christianity, and being "real" like that really opens the heavens!

When God says “Be holy;” “Be perfect;” He is not asking us never to fail! He is looking for the maturity that causes us to remain in Him through good times and bad, bringing everything to Him. Paul states it this way: “The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5, NASB) Our authenticity doesn't stop with God. Christians are also admonished to love others sincerely, from the heart. 

I Want To See God! So How Do I Purify My Heart?

I know from experience that no matter how hard I try, there are just some people I don't really... (forgive me, Lord!)... love. You know the ones I'm talking about. The ones whose personalities grate on your nerves. The ones that remind you of your failings. The ones you determine to avoid at all costs. One word from these people is enough to change your life - for the worse! 

How, then, can anyone be truly pure? How do we keep offenses from hindering our prayers? How can we be "real" and authentic with people we know will hurt us?

I know only of only one remedy that works: praying the Word over my heart before every encounter! Only the Word has the ability to transform and renew me so that my heart is able to love - and free to pray again when it has been offended. 
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Walk Purely, Walk Securely

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Psalm 119:130: “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (NKJV)

As I’ve prayed into this New Year (5779), one of the cautions the Lord has given me is that the enemy is already seeking to undermine us. We must be “exceptionally diligent” (His words, not mine) to dig deep and fill up on the Word of God! Believers’ roots must be deeper than the enemy’s ability to dig, in order to survive the onslaught against them. Relationships too, like a good cup of tea, must be steeped in authenticity. 

When we dig deep in the Word of God, the Spirit of God purifies us. Take a look at these verses:
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If you want to learn a language, immersion is the key to fluency. If you want to purify your heart and see clearly, immersion in the Word of God is the best strategy. Measuring your heart against the Word reveals places of defilement that need confession and cleansing. This is how you become holy. (2 Corinthians 7:1.) 

Despite great desire, no one has ever seen God face to face. 20/20 vision comes later, at the reappearing of our Savior. (1 Corinthians 13:9-12 and 1 Timothy 6:16.) For now, we know in part and see in part.

Yet how brilliant are even the reflections of God we see! The smallest shafts of light illuminate great darkness, revealing the paths we need to take. Take hold of the secret Jesus shared with His disciples: purify your heart, and you will see more of God! 

© Deborah Perkins / www.HisInscriptions.com

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​When doubt swirls all around, and you fear you have gone too far or lost your way, all that is necessary is to stop and surrender yourself once more to Jesus.
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