Blameless

In the New Testament, Paul does a lot of follow up with many of the churches he ministered to. He also prays for them and thinks about them a lot. In some respects, I know how he feels. If you watch the television show, “Christian Music Videos” or have ever watched the show, I think about you and pray for you often. In First Corinthians chapter 1, Paul expresses his thoughts toward the church. I encourage you to read it. But specifically, in verse 8 he says: 

"He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The “he” that Paul is referring to is Jesus Christ. That Jesus will keep them firm to the end so that they will be blameless on the day of the Lord. That is my prayer for you also. For every Christian, our main concern should be remaining blameless before the Lord, and to continue to abide in him. Blameless doesn’t mean sinless. But I believe it does mean, in as much as it is possible with us, to be sinless - or to not enter into sin willingly. Paul says that with the help of Jesus, that is possible. We all want to be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I continue to pray that you’re able to accomplish that as well.

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I pray that Jesus will keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. It isn’t easy to be blameless. But I believe that one weapon we can use, is to think on heavenly things. The more we consider our eternal future, the more we should desire to be right and blameless before our God. In life, there are so many things out of our control. But Paul encourages us, that with the help of Jesus, being blameless before God is something that is within our control.

Trust The Spirit

I’ve heard of people doing things in the name of our Lord that may seem crazy to some. Things like dropping everything and moving to an unfamiliar area because they feel God is calling them there; going into a hostile biker bar environment to speak to people about Christ, or making a number of otherwise uncharacteristic choices because they believe they are hearing the Holy Spirit. My advice to you when you feel the Holy Spirit telling you to do something that is clearly Christian but out of your comfort zone is to trust the Spirit. First Corinthians chapter 2 verse 14 says:

"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."

There are times when we have to engage less with our physical brain and more with our spiritual discernment. God may call us to do something that seems strange at the time, or totally out of our comfort zone. But in cases like that we need to first discern that it is the Spirit, and when we feel peace or conviction that it is, we need to trust the Spirit. Remember, God knows best - he has a master plan. Maybe you are part of that plan. One thing is for sure, it is much better to be operating within his plan, than struggling outside of it. So I encourage you, even when it may not make sense to your human mind, or if people who do not have the Spirit are telling you that you’re being a fool, trust the Spirit.

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“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” We have the Spirit. He was promised to us by Jesus himself. Now that we have the Spirit living inside of us, we need to trust him. Yes, we have to first discern that it is him. But as Paul points out, people who do not have the Spirit will look at the actions of those that do as foolishness. That is because they are using their human mind and cannot understand or accept that there is a Spirit who knows best. Trust the Spirit, because when you do, you might be lucky enough to see the amazing fruit that comes from when you obey.

Bad Company

Christians can be strong of character. But when it comes right down to it, Christians are only people. Yes, saved people with the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives, but we are still susceptible to outside influences affecting us. Paul warns us in first Corinthians about how bad company can corrupt good character. It says in chapter 15, verses 33 and 34:

"Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.' Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God - I say this to your shame."

Remember, we are to be in the world, but not of the world. It is true that Jesus spent time with unbelievers. He did this because those were the people who needed salvation. We are to do the same, but we should stay on guard against the influences that run contrary to what the bible teaches. We all have weaknesses, and you are probably aware of where you struggle most and what negative influences are most likely to lead you into sin. I encourage you not to willingly put yourself in situations where these negative influences can corrupt your Christian character. And if you are in a situation where your character is being corrupted, heed Paul's words - “come back to your senses as you ought and stop sinning”. Don’t be ignorant of God, but be vigilant for him.

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“Bad company corrupts good character.” Some of us have an easier time standing in situations where others would easily fall. We all should know ourselves pretty well. We know where we are weak - where Satan can get a stronghold, and we know where we are strong - where the Holy Spirit can easily support us - even in the midst of worldly situations. Paul warns us about being ignorant. Yes, there is a mission field, but heed Paul’s warning. Don’t let yourself be corrupted by bad character. Know when to flee, know when to stand, and know when to fight - spiritually speaking of course.

Our Advocate

Have you ever been in trouble for something you know you did wrong, and a friend, or advocate, sticks up for you speaking in your defense? Kind of like being in a courthouse where you’re facing a sentence for a crime you admit committing, but your lawyer argues for you and gets the judge to forgive your grievance? Well one of the roles of Jesus is to act as an advocate for us when we sin. First John 2 verses 1 and 2 says:

"My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."

Grace is receiving the good that we don’t deserve. At some point, all of us will sin and find ourselves guilty before God. But First John says that Jesus is our advocate. He speaks to the Father in our defense. His atoning sacrifice for our sins brings forgiveness. John says that he was writing this so that the reader does not sin, but if we do sin, we have Jesus, our advocate who speaks to the Father in our defense. I don’t know about you, but I am so happy for this truth.

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“…if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One”. I am so thankful that I’ve never seen a day in court for a crime that I have or haven’t committed. But if that day ever comes, my earthly advocate would be no where near as effective as my spiritual one. Jesus has done - and continues to do so much for us. One of his roles is to be our advocate – to speak on our behalf when we sin. The goal is not to sin, but isn’t it awesome that when we do, we have Jesus in our corner speaking to the Father in our defense?

Don't Envy Them

Have you ever found yourself envying sinners? After all, from some believer’s point of view it could seem as if non-believers can do whatever they want, whenever they want, without being convicted by the Holy Spirit. The bible tells us that he who the Son sets free is free indeed, but some believers may feel that non-believers who choose to live life any way they want are experiencing real freedom. I encourage you not to get caught in the trap of thinking this way. We are reminded in Proverbs 23:17:

"Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord."

You see, we believers are playing the “long game”. Remember the truth about life. I believe that what we see and are experiencing right here and now is more of an illusion than what is going on in the heavenly realms. I believe that we are the fish in the bowl, and that the heavenly realms are looking in on our small little finite existence with full knowledge that there is something much, much more. So I encourage you, don’t envy sinners with what seems like freedom. But play the long game. Remember eternity and the one who has power over both body and soul.

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“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord”. Don’t get fooled by the illusion of freedom that those who are not following Christ experience. We, as believers, have the true life living inside of us. The peace and joy of knowing Christ outweighs that of not knowing him. Like the parable of the man who finds a pearl in the field and sells everything he has to buy the field so that he can have the pearl, remember the long game. We know the illusion of life. There is so much more both here and after we die. So, do not let you heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.