What does “Blessed are the pure in the heart because they shall see God” mean, and can we see God?

Answer 1

Hi,

As a disclaimer, I am a youth minister and not a theologian :) Personal years of Bible study and my background in academic research has informed my faith. With that said....

This verse is a part of the Beatitudes (see Matthew Chapter 5) a sermon that Jesus preached. In short the Beatitudes are a series of 10 character or moral codes that help guide us as we practice faith. This particular Beatitude that you are referencing encourages us to be pure or kind in our heart. That is, we should strive to do what is good, moral, and upright in our thoughts, words, and actions. The part of the verse that refers to seeing God, refers to our life in Heaven and spending time with God. Essentially this verse is saying that when we strive to be pure in heart, we have the opportunity to be in God's presence and spend eternity with Him in heaven. I hope this blesses you!