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“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb. 10:22).  The heart (inward man) is at the center of all human life and activities.  “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23).  “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 12:34).  “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Matt. 12:35).  A true heart is an aspect of true religion.  True hearts are purified by obedience to the truth, characterized by genuineness, and blessed by fellowship with God.
Purified By Obedience to the Truth
“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (I Pet. 1:22).  There are two parts to our purification from sin.  The first part belongs to God.  The human heart is cleansed by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ.  Sin is forgiven on account of the atoning power of the blood of Jesus which was shed on the cross.  His blood secures our redemption.  “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7).  God’s love, grace and mercy are all involved in our salvation.  God has done His part.  The second part belongs to each of us.  We must manifest an obedient faith in Jesus Christ.  Our bodies are washed with pure water. This is a reference to baptism (an immersion in water for the remission of sins).  “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us; not the putting away of the filth of flesh but the answer of a good conscience before God.”  Our sins are washed away in baptism. “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).  Paul’s conversion was a pattern to them that should believe unto everlasting life (I Tim. 1:13-14).  Paul was baptized into Christ (Acts 9:18).  Later, he taught others that they must be baptized into Christ and put on Christ (Gal. 3:26-27).  The human heart is purified by obedience to the truth.  When we are baptized into Christ, our sins are washed away by the power of His blood.
Characterized By Genuineness
The word true means, “genuine, free from iniquity, hypocrisy, deceit and so sincere, unfeigned, true-hearted.”  A person must be sincere in one’s faith.  Faith is conviction of the precepts of God and confidence in the promises of God (Heb. 11:1).  Conviction produces assurance (nothing doubting).  A person must not vacillate between two different religions, i.e. Judaism and Christianity.  Paul is an example once again.  When Paul became a Christian, he left Judaism behind.  Immediately after becoming a Christian, Paul began to preach Jesus Christ (Acts 9:20) that He is the Son of God.  This spiritual fact affirms the deity of Jesus Christ which previously Paul had denied.  Paul changed from being a persecutor of the Lord’s church to becoming a proclaimer of the Lord and His kingdom.  A good heart produces good fruit (Matt. 12:35).  This will be manifested in word and in deed.  It will be seen in pure speech and pure religion (James 1:27).  Blasphemy does not come from a pure heart.  Hypocrisy does not come from a pure heart.  Truth comes from a pure heart.
Blessed By Fellowship With God
The writer of Hebrews encourages us to draw near to God.  First, no man can draw near to God apart from Jesus Christ.  John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”  Access to God is made possible by Jesus Christ who opens the door to heavenly realms.  We must be forgiven.  We must be redeemed.  God is holy.  In order to approach God, we must have pure hearts.  Authentic faith in God and genuine love for God secure relationship and fellowship with God.  We draw near to God when we worship Him.  Praise and prayer are avenues of worship whereby the human heart pursues God.  We have fellowship with God through the bond of love that is manifested in our adoration of God.  The pathway to God involves a true heart.  True hearts make true religion.  “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).