Blameless Ways

I often look at the Christian walk as a two-pronged effort: There’s doing what’s right and there’s abstaining from doing what’s wrong. First, the “right” things; things we do that please God such as proactively loving others, working on our relationship with God like fasting, bible reading and prayer. Then there is the abstaining from doing what is wrong, which basically boils down to turning away from anything that is sinful - be it in our heart, mind or actions. Proverbs reminds us that we are to strive to be blameless in his sight. In chapter 11 verse 20 it says:

"The Lord detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless."

I believe being “blameless” is keeping sin, that we willingly commit, out of our lives. Some people struggle more with sin, and others struggle more with being proactive in their faith. Both are things that we need to keep in check. The bible reminds us that God prefers obedience over sacrifice – referring to when the Israelites had to sacrifice animals for forgiveness. But I think this principle may also apply here; that God wants us to avoid doing what is wrong, or being blameless, over doing what is right, which is proactive right living. There is no question that both are important, but Proverbs 11:20 focuses on being blameless.

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Proverbs reminds us that God detests a perverse heart – which is a heart that loves sin. But he delights in those whose ways are blameless. Blamelessness comes with a huge dose of self-control fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit. God can change our perverse heart so that we are blameless before him. The more and more we abstain from doing what is wrong, and keep ourselves away from things that tempt us in those areas, the easier it is sure to get over time.

Feet Washing

Some people are blessed to have an innate caring and loving nature. Others of us have to work at it. Regardless of whether it comes naturally to you or not, Jesus modeled the love of a servant’s heart, that we are to follow, when he washed the disciple’s feet. In John 13:14-17 it says:

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

Think about the attributes of a willing servant: One who puts the needs of others before their own, one who looks for ways to help others, one who is not ashamed to lower themselves while at the same time lifting up another. The list can get quite long, but it all comes down to love and selflessness. Jesus modeled it for us as he reminded us that no servant is greater than his master. So, if he, our Master, would do this for us, shouldn’t we serve others as well?

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Jesus is our master, our God and our savior. Yet, he washed the feet of the disciples. He did this as an example of what we are to model. I encourage you to look for ways you can serve others – even if it comes at your expense. That is what Jesus did for us, and that is what he is calling us to do for others.

Renounce Sin

Whenever I read Leviticus and Deuteronomy, I am so thankful that I didn’t live in those times. First, because I am a Gentile and wouldn’t be among God’s chosen people, but also because even if I were one of the Israelites, I would have to obey so many rules that I’m sure I’d be sacrificing animals on a daily basis for forgiveness. Since Jesus’ sacrifice, we no longer have to kill an animal for the forgiveness of our sins. We only have to confess our sins and repent from them. Proverbs 28:13 reminds us:

"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

The principle of confessing our sins is the first step. But I think that we as believers shouldn’t forget the second part of the process. We not only confess, but we are to also repent – or as Proverbs puts it, renounce our sin. I believe what this means, is that at the moment of confession, we have to purpose in our hearts that we are turning away from our sin. If we don’t, I don’t think we’ve really completed the process – we haven’t renounced it. If we confess our sins, yet in our hearts have not determined that we will turn away from said sin, have we really repented? I’m not saying that at some point won’t fall to the same temptation, but at the moment of confession, we really need to fully repent – or renounce our sin.

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When we sin, and ask God to forgive us, Proverbs tells us that it is a two-part process. We have to confess by telling God how we’ve sinned thereby agreeing that our sin is wrong. And secondly, we have to repent, or as Proverbs says, renounce our sin. Effectively, we have to have a genuine change of heart, purposing in our minds that we will not revisit our sin. Sure, there is always a chance that we’ll fall again, but at the point of repentance, we should have every intention that we will stand strong next time we’re tempted.

Haters

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of trying to do something positive for the kingdom of God when all of the sudden a few negative personalities come in and try to disrupt what God has called you to do? Maybe you’ve found yourself trying to share Jesus with someone, when a third party steps in and makes fun of what you’re saying, or speaks against it all together. Maybe while at a Christian outreach event, a few outsiders try to disrupt what’s going on. If that every happens, I encourage you to remain diligent and complete the task that you’ve begun for the kingdom with love and perseverance. In Acts, Paul and Barnabas could attest to others trying to throw a wrench in what they were doing for the cause of Christ. In chapter 14 verses 1-3 it says:

"In Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent a considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders."

When the Jews came to stir up trouble, it says that “Paul and Barnabas spent a considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord”. They didn’t back down, nor did they fight with the Jews. They just dug in their heels, rolled up their sleeves, and kept at it all the more. Unlike Paul and Barnabas, God may not choose to enable you to perform miraculous signs and wonders in the midst of your efforts. But even still, you can continue the work God has called you to, knowing that he is there with you, and that his purpose will be accomplished.

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Doing work for the Lord, may draw the attention of those who want to disrupt what God is doing. Though this is unfortunate, we shouldn’t be surprised. Remember that our battle isn’t against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. With this knowledge, I hope you’ll be able to see the hate or disruption as a tool of the evil one, even if he is using a flesh and blood human to accomplish his goal. I encourage you to not let his efforts distract you. Our job is to love. We need to trust God to take care of the rest.

Empty-Handed

Almost every time I read the old testament, I’m thankful that I was born after Jesus came to redeem us. When he came on the scene he didn’t really change all of the rules, but he did revise them. For one thing, we no longer have to sacrifice animals to God to atone for our sins. Jesus took care of that with his own blood. If you read the first several books of the old testament, you’ll realize that there are several other things that the Israelites had to do that we no longer have to do. But I believe that there are a few that we should still keep in mind. For instance, in the second part of Exodus chapter 23 verse 15 God says:

"No one is to appear before me empty-handed."

There are at least two other times in Exodus and Deuteronomy where God tells his people that they are not to appear before him empty-handed. In context, this is in regards to the annual feasts that they are to attend and celebrate. But I like to also think of it as a theological sentiment that we all should try to maintain. Often times we appear before the Lord in prayer with our hands out, asking him to do something on our behalf. But what if when we came to him, we didn’t come empty handed? I’m not suggesting that every time we pray that we should set aside a dollar for the next offering or anything like that. But what if we came with the intent to praise, worship and adore him before we bring our requests to him? What if when we pray, we think about ways to honor his God-ship before we look to him to satisfy our needs? If you think about the Lord’s prayer that Jesus modeled for us in the New Testament, he does just that. Just something to think about.

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God tells the Israelites that no one is to appear before him empty-handed when they come to the annual festivals to celebrate. If we really reflect on what it should look like to literally come before the one and only God; the God of all creation, who personifies holiness, power and love, don’t you think that we should take steps to honor him by at least humbling ourselves and lifting him up? If you do, the next time you pray, I challenge you not to appear before the Lord “empty-handed”.