Coffee With The Lord

I’m always blown away by the “truly, truly” promise and challenge of Jesus recorded in John 14:12-14…

“Truly, truly, I say to you, ‘whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father! Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son! If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it!'”

Sometimes in sports there is talk of those who “move the goal.” The saying is always expressed in a context of “fudging” a little or cheating to make scoring easier. I never want to be guilty of that in Spiritual matters! If Jesus said it, I believe it – I want to embrace and internalize the factors that make it possible – and I want His expression “in my name” to signify that His goals and purposes are my goals and purposes!

“Blameless” – a great Bible word! None of us really are “blameless!” The only One who was in the fullest sense was Jesus Christ… He could challenge His accusers with authority and ask, “Which of you can convince me of sin?” (John 8:46) He was the ONLY sinless One! Everyone else has sinned – we are all sinners! The Bible declares, “For ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God!” (Romans 3:23)

But to be called or viewed as “Blameless!” Wow! First of all, it can only be gained by faith in what Christ accomplished on behalf of us “sinners!” Romans 3:23 in the Bible (referred to earlier) has these verses that follow it… “And all are justified [made right with God – righteous in God’s sight] by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ … so that He might be just and the justified of the one who has faith in Christ!” (Romans 3:24-26) It can’t be earned – it’s God’s gift given to those who acknowledge their sinfulness and trust Christ to save them from sin!

But being “blameless” has another import aspect! It means living in such a way before neighbors, friends, associates, and even enemies and accusers that no fault can be found in their lifestyle! Not simply devoid of sin, but actually exemplifying a righteous lifestyle! Not “self-righteous,” because that is actually a vile sin of pride, but “blameless!” No fault can be effectively leveled against this kind of person! They exemplify everything good, loving, forgiving and right! Wow! What a person!!!

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read the account of a case study in being blameless! Here it is right out of the Bible… The story of Daniel and his jealous accusers…

“Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error fault was found in him! Then these men said, ‘We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God [an attack on his faith].” (Daniel 6:3-5)

Notice the rest of the chapter… This did not mean he was not persecuted! He was! In fact his blameless lifestyle resulted in the “lion’s den!” But ultimately God vindicated Daniel and the king acknowledged the reality of Daniel’s God!

Here the challenge Apostle Peter gave regarding “blameless” living… “FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD, THAT BY DOING GOOD YOU SHOULD PUT TO SILENCE THE IGNORANCE OF FOOLISH PEOPLE. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love fellow Christians. Fear [reverence] God. Honor the emperor.” (I Peter 2:15-17)

I don’t know about you, but I want to be “blameless” before God – cleansed from my sin through faith in Christ! But I also want my life to reflect authentic righteousness – a lifestyle the exemplifies the transformation the Lord has worked within me… I want to be blameless “inside – out!”