Join Michael Horton, Walter Strickland, Justin Holcomb, and Bob Hiller in a discussion about how Christians are refined through trials and sanctification, emphasizing the transformation of the heart, the role of faith, and the importance of purity in the Christian journey.
God sanctifies believers through trials and sin struggles, refining them for His purpose.
A pure heart is essential for genuine worship, trust in God, and love for others.
Purification in the Christian life involves pain but leads to deeper dependence on Christ.
Deep dives
God's Work in Creating a Pure Heart
God's work in creating a pure heart is highlighted, drawing from scriptures like Psalm 51 and Jeremiah 31. The promise of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31, where God replaces a heart of stone with a heart of flesh, emphasizes the cleansing and renewing work of God. By the power of the Holy Spirit, our desires are transformed, and we transition from being dead to sin to being alive in Christ.
Blessed Are the Pure in Heart
Exploring the significance of the pure in heart being blessed as stated in Psalm 24, the podcast delves into the qualifications for those who can stand in the holy place. The importance of having a pure heart is linked to faithful worship, trust in God, and loving one's neighbor. The Pharisees' false worship serves as a contrast to the genuine purity that comes from God.
Purification through Christ's Work
The process of purification and sanctification in the Christian life is likened to a refining fire and being pruned by God, as mentioned in John 15. The transformation and cleansing that believers undergo involve pain and struggle but ultimately lead to a deeper dependence on Christ. Union with Christ is central to the purification process, where the Lord accomplishes great things through the hardships of sanctification.
Future Glorification and Hope in Christ
Looking ahead to future glorification, the podcast discusses the hopeful promise of being transformed and purified by Christ. The agony of sanctification and the shedding of old desires are part of the process leading to a state of glorification. Believers are encouraged to persevere through the refining process, trusting in the purification brought by Jesus' sacrifice and the future hope of seeing God.
Conclusion and Invitation to Further Study
The podcast concludes by emphasizing the role of Jesus in purifying hearts and providing assurance of cleansing through His sacrifice. The invitation is extended to engage with Sola Media's Bible studies for deeper theological exploration and group studies. Listeners are encouraged to continue learning about purity of heart and the promise of seeing God in future episodes of White Horse Inn.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” - Matthew 5:8. How can sinners be “pure in heart”? In this episode, Michael Horton, Walter Strickland, Justin Holcomb, and Bob Hiller consider how Christians are refined in the crucible of God’s sanctification—shaped through trials, strengthened in their daily struggles with sin, and fully made perfect by God’s grace when faith becomes as sight.
