Blameless Grace

 

God’s grace is evident as far back as the covering of Adam and Eve with garments of skin when they feared Him because of their sin and subsequent understanding of their nakedness (Genesis 3:21). He continues to demonstrate it every day in spiritual growth, the food we eat, or that beautiful rainbow or picturesque scene that brings us delight.

His grace is a constant reminder of His provision for us, His nearness and understanding of our circumstances, and the imputation of the righteousness of Christ to us, His children.

Whenever there is talk of Job’s “blamelessness” I remember the list of “righteous” deeds in his final appeal to God in Job 31. It is hard to argue that he was a man full of good works. From making a covenant with his eyes to not making his wealth an idol, he was an exemplary Christian!

However, when “blamelessness” is really studied in the Bible, it becomes evident that it is far more about faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ than it is about works.

Even when God describes Job to Satan as blameless, he says that Job is a blameless and upright man, “one who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8). In 2 Samuel 22:24 and Psalm 18:23, David says, “I was also blameless before Him, And I kept myself from my iniquity.” He separates his “blamelessness” from his sin.

In Luke 1, the parents of John the Baptist are also described as “blameless,” “walking in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” But, the beginning of the verse calls them “righteous before God.”

In God’s grace, when He imputes the righteousness of Christ to us as He gives us faith, His Holy Spirit indwells us with the power to be like Job (Job 1:8), and Zaharias and Elizabeth (Luke 1:6), blameless.

Underlying all of this is this righteousness of Christ. We cannot be blameless without Him. Indeed, to live with the kindness and the obedience of these biblical examples is a worthy goal and, according to the scriptures, we can do it but only with the strength and power of Almighty God in us!

This does not mean we will never sin but it does mean we will be convicted of our sin and have a godly desire to confess, repent and make restitution when necessary. We will also have a strong desire to please God by keeping His word (John 14:15).

From the Psalms and Proverbs we learn that the blameless demonstrate their faith by obedience to God (Psalm119:80). They say that the righteousness of the blameless will direct them (Proverbs 11:5), that they delight the Lord (Proverbs 13:6), and will inherit good.

Philippians 2:14 – 16 gives great instruction and sets a high bar for those who want to live blameless before the Lord:                                                                                                                                                                            Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Those last words are emphasized because though the first words may seem “works based,” clearly Paul wants the Philippians to be identified for their faith as they meet Christ at judgment! Blamelessness starts with regeneration and is constantly being perfected by the process of sanctification as we demonstrate our faith in obedience.

So, by the grace of God, go and be blameless!