“Everyone who has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure.” – 1 John 3:3, WEB
It was not to the wise nor to the strong that Jesus promised the heavenly vision. It was to the PURE that Jesus spoke of when He said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Why purity? Is it not possible to remain corrupted in some way and still see God? Is it not possible to be impure somewhat and still love?
We know from experience how it is like to be betrayed. We know how to be hurt by those whom we love. By those who reserve some parts of their hearts for their own selfish ends. By those who express their love for us one day and then withdraw it from us the next day.
Unless love be pure, it could never be sincere. Unless love be pure, it could never be given in full.
We are afraid that heaven is a bribe, and that if we make it our goal we shall no longer be disinterested. It is not so. Heaven offers nothing that a mercenary soul can desire. It is safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to. – C. S. Lewis