… to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Summary: Being holy and blameless is not something we can achieve on our own. We need help! Fortunately for us, God has a plan. The plan is Jesus.
God chose you before the creation of the world to be special. How special? “Holy and blameless in his sight” special!
Cool! Does that mean we have to be sinless?
Well, yes. He’d like all of us to be without sin, but that is not possible. Our physical nature has been corrupted (See Genesis 3:5). Our physical being is constantly exposed to both good and evil, and without God’s guidance, the flesh cannot tell the difference. In fact, the flesh uses an entirely different standard from God’s.
God’s definition of “good and evil” is based on his perfect love. “Good” is loving God above all else (Matthew 22: 37), which is the same thing as loving love itself (1 John 4:8), and then loving others as ourselves (Matthew 22: 39). The “flesh” defines “good” by what is good for the flesh (Romans 8:5-8).
And what is good for the flesh? The flesh has desires. The flesh wants gratification. The flesh is hungry for things that feel good.
While in a store, I once saw a person so large that they had to be pushed around in a wheelchair. Their “flesh” was well fed to the point of hanging off their jowls and neck in large folds. As they were pushed past an aisle with chocolate candies on display, their eyes became glued to the candy. Their head slowly turned to keep the candy in sight as they looked longingly at the stacks of chocolate. It was a sad sight but at the same time, comical as they clearly wanted the treats. The person struggling to push the chair said simply, “No! We can’t have that,” and kept moving along.
Is my flesh any different? Do I want treats any less? Am I not tempted to indulge myself when the quiet little voice inside warns me not to?
Sadly, yes.
Before God, there is very little difference between me and the hungry mountain of flesh being pushed around in a wheelchair. Neither one of us are perfect. So how can Paul tease us with the hope of being “holy and blameless” in God’s sight?
The answer is that God is not looking at you or me. He is looking at Jesus! God sees his Son holding us in his arms, smiling (Acts 13:39). Our sins are swallowed up in the vast ocean of righteousness that is Jesus Christ. In Christ, there is no blame. His forgiveness is complete and unconditional. His love for us is greater than any wrong we have ever done (John 3:16). The only requirement is that we love him back, rejecting the self-indulgence of the flesh and choosing, instead, to love God and love each other.
Application: Let’s turn our eye upon Jesus…
Food for Thought: What part of us has to decide between loving God and loving self? What do we call that part, and how often does it have to make a choice?
The choice is constant and real (Romans 7: 13 – 8:1. The battle is daily (Luke 9: 23). The problem is the heart (seat of our wills, passions, desires). Jeremiah 17: 9. I must strive to die to self and live for Christ, setting my mind on heavenly goals (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3: 1 – 3).
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I probably should have included Ephesians 6: 10 – 17 as far as how to engage the struggle against a spiritual foe.
Great verses, Rich!
Thank you! I linked to them here.
Well stated Rich,
What part of us has to decide between loving God and loving self? What do we call that part, and how often does it have to make a choice?
It is by the power of the Holy Spirit of God that our spirits receive power and truth. The power to turn from the sins of our human flesh and live according to God’s will.
John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
John 16:13, When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
Choosing to reject the power of our human flesh and live in the life we have received from Spirit of God is a moment by moment, day by day lifetime of choices.
Galatians 5:24-25, And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
John 6:63, It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Thank you, Ron!
The John 6:63 verse is interesting. Not only is the flesh “no help at all” in many cases it is a distraction or even a hindrance.
We can’t mature under our power, trying to be good, pleasing to God.
Good Questions!