Søren Kierkegaard: Purity of Heart — To Will One Thing
- Ken Kalis
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Last time we looked at Søren Kierkegaard’s challenge to “Christendom” — the idea that being culturally Christian is not the same thing as truly following Jesus. Today we turn to one of his most searching works: Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing. If his earlier writings stripped away the illusion of external religion, this one gently — and sometimes painfully — asks us to examine our inner life before God.
Kierkegaard is not interested in abstract philosophy here. He is speaking pastorally, urgently, and personally. He writes to the “single individual,” calling each of us to stand honestly before God and ask:
What do I really want? What is the deepest “will” that directs my life?
And then he makes this piercing claim:
Purity of heart means willing one thing — the Good.
Not success.Not reputation.Not comfort.Not even religious appearance.
But the Good — which, for Kierkegaard, means God Himself.
As Jesus said:
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”— Matthew 5:8
And again:
“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”— James 1:8
Kierkegaard says that the opposite of a pure heart is a divided will — a heart that wants God… but also wants something else just as much. God — plus approval.
God — plus success. God — plus control. God — plus the last word.
We may pray, believe, worship, and even serve — yet inwardly be torn by competing desires.
And that is the danger.
Because eventually, the louder desire will win.
The Needlewoman and the Meaning
In his preface, Kierkegaard tells a simple, beautiful story. A woman spends hours sewing an altar cloth. She pours her love, attention, care, and devotion into the work. Every thread matters. Every detail is an offering to God.
But when the cloth is finally used, someone looks at it — and only notices the needlework. Or worse — only notices the imperfections.
They miss the meaning.
They miss the devotion.
They miss the heart.
Kierkegaard says this is how spiritual life works. The true meaning of devotion cannot be stitched onto the surface of actions. It must live inside the person who beholds God — not in the external fabric of religion.
If we only see human effort,if we only look for faults,if we only notice style,if we only analyze…
…we miss God.
And perhaps even more deeply — if we sew our lives outwardly for God, but inwardly are seeking praise for the needlework — then we too have missed the point.
We may be doing holy things,
but with divided hearts.
Integrity Before God Alone
Kierkegaard keeps coming back to this theme:
True Christianity is lived before God — not before people.
Purity of heart is formed when I ask:
Am I willing one thing? Or am I secretly bargaining?
Do I want the will of God —or the will of God so long as it also brings me comfort?
He writes not to condemn — but to awaken.
Because the divided heart is not only sinful — it is exhausting.
We become like someone trying to stand with one foot in two different boats drifting apart. Eventually — something tears.
But when the heart wills one thing — the Good — there is peace.
Not ease.Not safety.But peace.
Because the soul has come home.
Repentance as Single-Mindedness
Kierkegaard says that the doorway into purity of heart is repentance. Real, humble, honest, personal repentance before God. Not the kind that blames others or circumstances — but the kind that bows the heart.
Repentance takes the divided threads of our will — ambition, pride, fear, self-justification — and brings them into the light of Christ.
And Christ does not crush the penitent.
He cleanses.
He simplifies.
He restores.
He gives us a new heart — one drawn toward His.
Kierkegaard's Word for Our Age
In a world of distraction, anxiety, branding, noise, and endless choices, Kierkegaard sounds more modern than many modern writers.
We are constantly pulled in a dozen directions at once.
He reminds us that the Christian life is not about being impressive — it is about being honest before God.
It is the willingness to pray:
“Unite my heart to fear Thy name.”— Psalm 86:11
That little word — unite — is the prayer of Purity of Heart.“Lord, gather up my scattered heart. Knit me to Yourself.”
A Final Thought
Kierkegaard once said that when he writes, he seeks “the single individual.” Not the crowd. Not the audience. Not the institution.
Just one person.
Perhaps today, that person is you.
Not because you are worse than others — but because God loves you too much to let your heart remain divided.
“Purity of heart is to will one thing — the Good —God Himself —with your whole heart.”
May the Lord grant us such simplicity of soul.
A Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus,You alone are worthy of my whole heart.Forgive me for divided desires,for seeking You — and something else.Unite my heart to love You,to follow You,to will Your will —and to rest in Your grace.Amen.
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Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
1. O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
o Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
2. Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O'er us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conqu'rors we are!
3. His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Words and music by Helen Howarth Lemmel, 1863-1961
And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. Matthew 20:32-34
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