Ministering with a Pure Heart

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT

The Measure of Christian Success

While praying one day, a thought came to my mind.  It went something like this, “Success in Christian service is measured not by the largeness of your ministry but by the depth of your heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7 says that man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at our hearts.  If we have pure hearts, our ministry to others will be untainted and effective.  But if our hearts are not in tune with God’s Spirit and God’s word our ministry to others – no matter how apparently successful – will not please our Master. We must pursue having a pure heart before God.

King David’s Heart

The Scripture says that David was a man after God’s heart.  He had a big heart for God.  The Lord told Samuel to anoint the next king of Israel among Jesse’s sons.  He had Samuel pass by seven of David’s brothers.  The young lad was not even invited to the event – he was watching over his family’s herd of sheep.  Samuel asked for David and anointed him to be king.  Though David had many failures in his life, his tender heart for God made him the greatest king Israel ever had.  Acts 13:36 says, “For David after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers….”  David served his own generation by the will of God.  This tells me that David’s life ultimately pleased God.

I also want to live a life that pleases God and I am sure you do too.  I know that the Lord desires that we bear much fruit.  It is, of course, better that we reach many people rather than a few. However, it is the quality of our ministry that matters most to the Father.

Let’s be diligent to guard our hearts while we believe the Lord for a greater impact in ministry.  Let’s keep our relationship with Jesus sweet and intimate.  When we keep this as the first thing in our lives, God will see fit to trust us with greater influence in ministry.   If the root is good, the branches will flourish.

The Reward for Purity

2 Timothy 2:20-22 NIV states, “ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

Do you desire to be used by God in a significant way? God promotes us when we faithfully serve Him with a pure heart. It’s not that He wants perfection, but He delights in us when we allow Him to cleanse us and make us His instruments. The more we grow in holiness, the more He trusts us. Then He causes us to have greater influence in the kingdom. And the more we are faithful in serving Him the more He chooses to use us for His special purposes. The opposite is also true: when we allow the world’s impurity to dwell in our hearts, the Lord limits our spiritual effectiveness in ministry.

Cleansing Through God’s Word

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word… Ephesians 5:5-26 NIV.

When we spend time in God’s word it acts like a shower that washes all the dirt away. His word is to burn within us bringing purity. When God shows us something that hinders His working in your life, learn to ask for forgiveness, and He will cleanse you by the power of His precious blood leaving you with a pure heart.

Dear Father God,

Help me to guard my heart with all diligence.  Teach me to worship, pray, and feed on your word daily.  Shine your light on anything in my heart that is not right.  Teach me to quickly ask for forgiveness whenever You show me there is something in me that displeases you. Let me minister to others with a pure heart.  Thank you for using me in a mighty way for your glory.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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