Presented Blameless

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

Ephesians 1:3-6 NASB

Following my previous post, I would like to start with one more passage where we see that God, before the creation of the world, has chosen us who believe, to holiness. It is His gracious intention to take sinners and turn them into saints. When God saves an individual He transforms that individual's life (2 Corinthians 5:17). One who previously lived a wicked sinful life, now through the inner working of the Spirit of God lives an upright life, doing what is good and holy in the sight of God

This theme appears again in Paul's first letter to the Church in Thessalonica.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your Spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also bring it to pass.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NASB

And Jude also refers to this as well.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen

Jude 1:24-25 NASB

The common theme is that of God's faithfulness to bring us through this life that we now live, set apart, and blameless when we stand before Him. 

To be blameless does not mean we have never sinned, or that we will never sin, but it means to be morally upright, to walk in integrity. Yes, the possibility of sin exists, even for a believer, but we can be victorious over it through Jesus Christ. And if and when we do sin, repentance and confession is the step we must take to place that sin under the blood, and have it cleansed.

Paul writes to believers in Ephesus, telling them,

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the Church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

Ephesians 5:25-27 NASB

Again, this is God's purpose for us. He desires a people whom He has taken and purified, so that they are pure in His sight, and in the sight of the world around them, so that He might be glorified in what He has done.

Just as we read above, it is Jesus, who gave His life for us, to accomplish this within us. Paul also writes this,

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Titus 2:11-14 NASB 

For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life 

Titus 3:3-7 NASB

Now I would like to clarify a few things here. There are two "ditches" that we must be careful to avoid as we walk out our salvation. On one side of the road we have the ditch of "legalism", and on the other side we must avoid "antinomianism".

A legalist will try hard to follow the rules. They will depend upon their good deeds to save them. But we have just read that our righteous deeds are not the basis for our salvation, but the mercy of God.

The other extreme is antinomianism, the idea that because salvation is a free gift, not dependent on works, good works do not matter. Antinomianism is a term used to describe a "lawless" salvation. Someone who holds to this error believes that they can live however they please, and it will not affect their eternal state one way or another.

Both of these heresies are fatal to our spiritual life. Just as it is true that no one can be justified by the works of the law (Romans 3:20), it is equally true that no immoral or impure person has an inheritance in God's kingdom (Ephesians 5:5). 

God has undertaken to change us from the inside out, yet we must cooperate with what He is accomplishing in our lives. This where we must make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10), work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12), walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). We must put action to our belief. That is the definition of a faith that is legitimate (see  James 2:14-26). 

Predestined to holiness

This post will deal with the topic of  election and predestination a little bit differently than what you might think. I'm not going to get into the argument between the various views on this thorny subject for the purpose of this post. In fact, neither of the two main views on this subject completely satisfy me. I find things that I agree with on both sides, and things that I don't as well. It is a subject, in my opinion, that cannot be put in a nice theological box. I believe there is a bit of mystery to it that is suppose to be there, and I want to keep this simple.

In this post I would like to continue with the theme of sanctification in the life of the believer. And this all begins with the foreknowledge of God, and his calling and election of the individual.

1. To be conformed to the image of Christ.

In Romans chapter eight we read this,

29. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 

30. and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

Romans 8:39-30 NASB

What stands out in this passage is the fact that God, according to His foreknowledge, has elected, or predestined individuals to become like Jesus. These same individuals are called to justification as well, which causes me to ask, can one be justified but not become Christ-like?

In First John we read,

The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

1 John 2:6 NASB

We need to be consistent with verses like these. God has called the believer to be conformed to the image of Christ. Therefore, one who has been truly saved is not only justified (in right standing before God), but also becoming more and more like Christ in word and deed.

2. Predestined for obedience to Christ.

Similarly, Peter addresses scattered believers who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood (1 Peter 1:2).

Here again, as in the previous verses quoted, God has elected individuals to something that exceeds what many of us consider salvation to be.

In this verse we see the sprinkling of the blood of Christ, the blood that atones for our sin. Without the shed blood applied to our lives there is no forgiveness, and no right standing with God. But we also see that those who are chosen to be sprinkled with the blood of Christ are chosen to be obedient to Him as well. In what can be considered a trinitarian passage we read that it is the Holy Spirit who brings this about in the lives of those chosen, or elected, by God the Father.

So again, if we are not obedient to Jesus (conformed to His image), is His blood applied to our lives? Is the Holy Spirit at work in us, or have we quenched Him? 

7. For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.

8. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NASB

But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:7 NASB

This is sanctification, to be like Jesus in our conduct: walking in the light. Our cooperation with the Holy Spirit and resulting Christ -likeness is just as much a part of our salvation as the forgiveness we receive from Him. They cannot be separated. 

3. Salvation through sanctification.

13. But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.

14. It is for this that He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 NASB

Believers have been chosen for salvation according to God's foreknowledge. However this salvation, from beginning to end is brought about through the sanctification of the one who believes. God does not save us in our sin, but from our sin.

Imagine suffering from a fatal illness and going to a doctor for help. He gives you a pill to relieve your pain, but does nothing to cure the illness behind the pain. When God saves an individual He transforms that individual from the inside out. He not only forgives our past sin, but through the power of the Holy Spirit we find deliverance from sinning as well.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold new things have come.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB

Peter refers to this in his first epistle as well,

3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4. to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.

5. who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:3-5 NASB 

As we read in Romans 8:30 those who are called are also glorified, just as Paul states in 2 Thessalonians 2:14, which is quoted above. We are elected to a salvation that involves justification, and ultimately ends in our glorification, but here in this lifetime we must be sanctified.

When Paul exhorts us to "work out our salvation" he is speaking of this very same thing. In speaking of Christ; his humility and incarnation, Paul urges us to take on the same mindset that Christ had. One day we will all bow before Him,

12. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

13. for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:12-13 NASB 

These three "predestination" passages that I have touched on here are all saying the same thing. Predestination and election encompass more than many understand them to mean. When God in His foreknowledge elects an individual it is an election to a transformed person, one who in word, thought and deed looks like Jesus. 

The Blessedness of Obedience

1. How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.

2. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart.

3. They also do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways.

4. You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently. 

5. Oh that my ways may be established to keep Your statutes!

6. Then I shall not be ashamed when I look upon all your commandments.

7. I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgements.

8. I shall keep your statutes; do not forsake me utterly!

9. How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.

10. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments. 

11. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.

12. Blessed are You, O LORD; teach me Your statutes.

13. With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of Your mouth.

14. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15. I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways.

16. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word.

Psalm 119:1-16 NASB

The 119th Psalm reveals the cry of the psalmist's heart for holiness. I have only quoted 16 verses out of 176 here for the sake of brevity, but these few verses make the point clear.

When one reads this Psalm he or she can see the passion that the author has for the law of God. And not for the law only, but for the Lord God Himself, the giver of that law which flows out of His righteous character.

Our true happiness can only be found when we are in a right relationship with the Holy God who has given us His law to obey. This relationship is based upon an obedient submission to our God who has called us to be holy, just as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

Lest there be any misunderstanding, this holiness is a way of life: it is lived out in our day to day conduct. I'm not talking about a righteousness that comes from following a law, but righteousness that comes from an obedient, loving faith in God. Following His commandments flow out of true faith, if our faith is real (see James 2:14-26).

In our passage above we read that we keep ourselves pure by following God's word. Salvation is so much more than the forgiveness we receive for our sin against God. While this is essential to our restoration to the God we all have offended, we are responsible to walk in obedience to His commands. If we are disobedient, we allow sin to stain our hearts once again. 

It's like a child taking a bath and then going outside to play. He knows he will get dirty if he plays in the mud. Does he disobey his mother and avoid what might make him dirty once again, or obey and stay clean?

As Christians we face a battle of right and wrong. We are often our own worst enemies, getting in the way of obedience. How often do we do the very thing we do not want to do, because we allow our flesh to dictate our choices (see Romans 7:14-25, Galatians 5:16-18). Just as the psalmist cried out to be steadfast in obedience, Paul the apostle cried out for deliverance from this body of "sin and death." Our victory comes from Christ, and by his grace we must walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Do we treasure the word of God as much as we treasure our "riches"? Are we desperate to know what pleases the Lord, and then diligently do it? This is what we read in this passage. His word is to be treasured, studied, and meditated upon if we are to live in obedience to our Lord.

Again, we are not following the law as an end in itself, so that we may be blessed. Our true happiness will only come when our love for Christ excels our love for "things" and compels us to obey Him at all cost. Then we will not be ashamed when we look at His commandments.

There are numerous passages dealing with the topic of sanctification, or holiness of life and conduct. I would like to go through many of them in separate posts for the sake of keeping them simple. It is my hope that these posts will encourage all of us to press forward in the calling that God has placed upon us, to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

God's Concern For the Stranger

If one looks back at the history of immigration you will find people have been migrating from one country to another since the beginning. They have been motivated by many things; war, famine, oppression, persecution, and the chance for a better life, are just some of the things that come to mind.

While some have been welcomed into their new countries, many more have not. Again, history reveals a common attitude of hatred and rejection of those who are now among us but are not like us 

One only needs to look at the backlash in America when the Irish came, then the Chinese came. And these are only two examples of prejudice against immigrants in America's history. It hasn't even been one hundred years since the Holocaust when multitudes of Jews sought refuge here in this country. While desperate Jews were seeking a precious few visas in an attempt to flee Europe, lawmakers were busy passing immigration laws ensuring that they would be kept out of this country. Why? "They will take our jobs, the economic condition of the nation, Nazis will come in among them," were the reasons. And history proves that a large majority of them were denied entry into this country.

God has put human government in place to provide safety and stability for people to live in the nations they live in. In a fallen world where the majority of people are living lives apart from Christ something is needed to keep some semblance of order and to restrain evil. In the best case scenario we would find people living decent lives under a government who cares for, and protects them. Sadly, so many leaders past, and present do not.

This sets up the conflict. People leave one place to enter another, again, for various reasons. And as part of their responsibilities towards the people they are entrusted to protect, governments need some form of security over their borders, and as they are morally responsible individuals (as we all are) the care for people coming into these countries must be considered as well. In a perfect world this should work well. However we do not live in a perfect world. We live in a fallen world ruled by fallen leaders, and this sets up an "us versus them" system that ultimately hurts people who have been made in the image of God.

Before I continue I would like to reiterate that governments do have a responsibility to ensure the well-being of its citizens, and border security is part of that. I have no issue with that. This nation is struggling with this presently, and unless everyone can get together to work out a plan that would ensure the safety of the nation while at the same time addressing the  plight and concerns of so many who are entering this nation, nothing will be fixed.

My intent in writing this is not to look at the politics of this issue so much as it is to view this from a Biblical perspective. What does God have to say about the foreigners among us, and how should that affect our views on immigration and how we should treat immigrants.

When God brought up Israel from Egypt He gave them a law. They were to be living examples to the nations around them of what a righteous nation looked like (Deut 4:5-8). A common theme throughout the law reflected God's care for the poor and marginalized among them, including the stranger. 

"You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt."

Exodus 22:21 NASB

"You shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt."

Exodus 23:9 NASB

A stranger was a foreigner living among the Israelites. This individual may or may not have rights granted them. Either way, God was concerned that they were welcomed and treated kindly. He reminds Israel of their former status as slaves in Egypt. They knew what it was like to be foreigners and a land not their own. They experienced oppression, and as such they should have some empathy towards someone who now was a stranger in Israel.

"When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God."

Leviticus 19:33-34 NASB

Just as they were to love their neighbor as themselves, they were to love the stranger among them in the same way (Leviticus 19:18). 

In that culture and time if one was widowed or orphaned there were very little means of support. God made provision for the care of these individuals in His law to ensure their well-being. We find several places in the Old Testament where this is true. It is worthy to note that the "stranger" is often included with them.

"You shall not pervert the justice due an alien or an orphan, nor take a widow's garment in pledge. But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and that the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing. When you reap your harvest in your field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not go over it again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing."

Deuteronomy 24:17-22 NASB

The story of Ruth shows this "law" in action. When Naomi, an Israelite, and Ruth, her daughter in law, a Moabitess, are widowed, they return from Moab to Israel. In order to survive, Ruth goes to a field to gather up what was left behind by the reapers at harvest time. She is accepted by her new "countrymen" and ends up in the genealogy of King David, and ultimately that ofJesus.

You cannot legislate compassion, it must come from the heart. When one looks back at where we have come from, what we have experienced, we then can identify with the experience of others. This is carried into the teaching of the New Testament where we are told to "forgive as we have been forgiven" (Col 3:10-13).

Jesus tells of a man who had been graciously forgiven of a very large debt. However he apparently was disconnected from the reality of the grace shown towards him, as he proceeded to angrily demand payment from an individual who owed him considerably less (see Matt 18:22-35). We need, by the Spirit of God, a deep comprehension of the depth of our sin, and the richness of God's mercy before this saying is true in our lives: "He who is forgiven much loves much" (see Luke 7:36-47).

This is not merely some Old Testament law that was valid for Israel only, and now we under grace are exempt from putting it into practice. From the beginning, the New Testament Church took the care of the poor and needy seriously. It goes beyond an Old Covenant command, ultimately finding its expression in the law of Love. Jesus confirms the law of Love as that which fulfills the law (Matt 7:12).

Love demands that we treat others in the same way we would be treated. Love knows no racial distinctions. Jesus made that quite clear in the parable of the good Samaritan (see Luke 19:30-37). Regardless of what  stand the politicians might take, and regardless of what the unbelieving world might think about this issue, we as followers of Christ must look at this through the eyes of Jesus.

Those of us who are Gentile believers would do well to look at where we have come from to be brought into the kingdom of Christ,

Remember that you were at that time seperate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:12-13 NASB

God chose a people to whom He revealed Himself. They received the law, the temple, and sacrificial system of worship, the covenants and promises. It was to Israel that Jesus Christ came, and it was also to Israel that the gospel came first. We Gentiles have been grafted into this vine (Roman 11:17) God has graciously offered salvation to us as well through the blood of Christ. 

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household.

Ephesians 2:19 NASB

Notice how at one time we, who are  Gentiles, were "strangers" alienated from the covenants and promises that were given to Israel. But now we are no longer strangers and aliens, but citizens of the kingdom of God. And all of those who belong to God's kingdom, whether Jew or Gentile, are now strangers and aliens in this world. Our citizenship is in heaven (John 17:14, Phil 4:20). Our allegiance has changed, we are answerable to a higher authority.

We should be able to identify with the stranger among us. Instead of fear and distrust we should be willing and able to welcome the sojourner, just as we have been welcomed into the family of God. The vast majority of people migrating to America are coming to find a better life for themselves and their families. As I have previously stated, people are desperate to escape war, oppression, poverty, famine, among other things. We are the hands and feet of Jesus. We, as His followers can make a difference in their lives. 

What about illegal immigration? There are many undocumented immigrants in this country, with many more that come over illegally. What should a Christian do in this situation? The Bible also instructs us to submit to the governing authorities. 

I am in no way encouraging illegal entry into this or any country. However, loving our neighbor as ourselves can come into conflict with obeying the government. Remember, we as citizens of heaven have a higher authority. Are we to police the immigrants we may come in contact with, or are we to simply love them. I understand that sometimes dangerous people do come into this country, and that's something different. What I mean is this- we don't know the the situations that cause many to enter illegally. People are desperate. All I ask is that as Christians we could show some compassion. Immigrant status should not make a difference in how we treat someone.

It was illegal to give any sort of help to a Jew in Nazi occupied Europe during WW2. While there were many people who risked their lives to protect Jews during this time, most did not. In fact, Christians were encouraged by their pastors to obey the governing authorities, who in this case was ultimately Adoph Hitler. How many more Jews could have been saved,  (at a high cost to those who helped them perhaps), if the higher law of Love was adhered to instead?

God's concern for the alien is so great that there are consequences for disobedience. In a passage condemning Idolatry, the dishonoring of one's parents, property theft,  sexual sin and bribery ( see Deut 27:15-26) we find this,

Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow...

Deuteronomy 27:19

Again, marginalized people are vulnerable. They make easy targets, and God condemns this. The unbelievers around us may get caught up in this, but let us who follow Christ be different.

Some day Jesus will return in judgement, and all of the rhetoric and mistreatment of the alien will be dealt with.

"Then I will draw near to you for judgement; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me." Says the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:5 NASB

To push away the alien, refusing to help them in their need, is just as serious as sorcery and adultery in God's eyes. It is evidence of a lack of the fear of the Lord. I want to be clear that a secure border is a necessary thing, and I am fine with that. However what history has shown to be true right up to the present is that for many, foreigners are not welcome. We see this played out in the news, in politics, and on social media. Again, we would expect this from the "world", but not from a Christian who claims to follow Jesus.

I recently watched a video in which an individual was asked if Jesus would be welcomed if He came to America. I was shocked, but not really surprised by the response, "If He came legally."

I would say that Jesus has come to multiple countries, including America, multiple times. 

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in...

This is the separation of the sheep and goats found in Matthew 25:31-46.

According to Jesus' words our willingness to welcome a stranger, as well as our refusal to welcome a stranger, matter to Him. He takes it personally, as if it were done, or not done unto Him! 

I believe that what we have a tremendous opportunity today to reach people with the gospel who have been unreachable before. A few years ago missionary organizations talked about the 10/40 window, an area including North Africa, the Middle East into Asia. This is an incredibly dangerous and difficult area to bring the gospel. It's amazing to see so many refugees fleeing these countries and coming into countries where the gospel is readily available. Are we up to the task?

I wrote about this nine years ago. You can read that post here.

And here is a link to a previous post as well. You can read it here.