在我們繼續討論清心的意義時，我們要問一個問題：我們怎能確保自己的心已被潔淨呢？歷來教會都因為這個問題而引起很大的爭論。那些認為罪已經深入人類本性的人說，神對罪唯一能做的是赦免。其他人則視心靈為一個戰場，在那裡肉體和靈性展開長期的爭戰。還有一些人好像約翰衛斯理（John Wesley）那樣宣稱，內在的純潔可以藉著神聖的恩典突然傾注而下。

相信這觀點的人可以分為三大類：（1）相信純潔是神的功勞；（2）相信純潔是賜予的；和（3）相信純潔是培養出來的。那些相信純潔是神的功勞的人認為，基督將他公義的袍圍在罪人身上，當神看他們時，便隻看到他兒子那沒有瑕疵的袍子，而看不到他們的罪。那些相信純潔是賜予的人宣稱，有一種經驗等待所有信徒來經歷，通常都是在歸信之後，神會透過危機，將純潔的恩賜賜下。這信念在衛斯理的發揚下變得很受重視。而那些相信純潔是培養出來的人，則認為神在我們心靈中不斷的工作，以緩慢但穩定的步伐前進。

哪一個說法才是正確的呢？我相信每個觀點都有可取之處，倘若隻是一面倒地看重某一說法，問題就會出現。神既會締造和賜下純潔，也會幫助我們在日常生活和經驗中去應用和發揮這些真理。

As we continue discussing what it means to be pure in heart, we ask: How do we ensure that our hearts are made pure? Great controversy has raged over this issue in every century of the Church. Those who see sin as having made deep inroads into human nature say that the only thing God can do with sin is to forgive it. Others see the soul as a battleground on which long-drawn-out hostilities take place between the flesh and the Spirit. And there are those who claim, as did John Wesley, that inner purity can be imparted by a sudden influx of divine grace.

Adherents of these views fall into three main groups: (1) those who believe that purity is imputed; (2) those who believe that purity is imparted; and (3) those who believe that purity is developed. Those who believe that purity is imputed say that Christ flings His robe of righteousness around a sinner and then God for ever sees him in the spotless garments of His Son. Those who believe purity is imparted claim that there is an experience awaiting all believers, usually subsequent to conversion, whereby, through a crisis experience, God imparts the gift of purity. This belief received great prominence under John Wesley. Those who believe purity is developed see the work of God in the soul proceeding along the lines of a slow but steady improvement.

Which of these is right? I believe that each view has something to contribute; it is when the emphasis is disproportionately placed that problems arise. God both imputes and imparts purity, and then helps us apply and develop these truths in our daily life and experience.