Tuesday

Week 9 – Tuesday – Blameless and Pure Children of God Without Fault

Read Philippians 2. Re read vs. 14-15
<> What is the goal of “do[ing] everything without complaining or arguing”?

Throughout the Scriptures there are a lot of descriptions of who we are as Christians and what our lives are supposed to look like. This one is one of the most concise and complete descriptions I have found.

Blameless and Pure:
This is the second time in Philippians that Paul has used this phrase. The first time was in Philippians 1:10 when he was talking about the goal of the love he wanted them to have for each other. Go check out the post from April tenth for a refresher on the idea. Essentially, these two words holistically sum up that your heart should be purely/solely devoted to one thing – Jesus – and that your actions should be so upright that no one would be able to accuse you of secret sin. As Christians when we sin, we are to walk in honesty both with God and others so that there is never any confusion. “Hey did you hear about Oscar??” “Yeah, I heard about Oscar from Oscar. He’s working out his issues and getting the help he needs. . .”
<> Is your heart purely devoted to Christ?
<> Are you walking in a way that no one could accuse you of hiding sin?

Children of God:
For some of you this is a very tough idea. Your concept of being someone’s child involves a lot of painful memories, abuse and brokenness. The only encouragement I can give you is to take all your frustration and imagine how you would have wanted it to be – moreover, how it was supposed to be – loving, compassionate discipline, wise guidance and the completely invested devotion of a strong and gentle Father.

On the other hand, some of you have the exact other problem. Your parents spoiled you until you were blue in the face and gave you the notion that life and the entire universe is all about you. Whether you’ve come to realize it or not yet, that can be as abusive as the more active vicious kind. In your relationship with God He is never going to allow you to think that this universe revolves around you. He is going to constantly rip that thought from your brain and do whatever it takes to teach you that it’s much better for you to understand this whole thing is about Him. He loves you – because He is amazing, not because you’re amazing.

<> When you approach God, how does your attitude reflect that you understand you are His child?
<> Find some parents and ask them what their favorite moments with their children are. How do you share these kinds of moments with your Father in Heaven?
<> Are you more of a spoiled brat or more of an abused/abandoned child? (I don’t want to ignore those of you out there that had great parents – Without idolizing them, take all of your relational beauty with them and apply it to how you interact with God. Unfortunately, you seem to be the rare case these days.)

Without Fault:
The gospel. Blameless and Pure have to do with your actions and your attitude. Without Fault has to do with the fact that Jesus has washed you of all your sin; past, present and future.

Go read Psalms 103:8-14

<> Take some time and just work through the passage.
<> What do our sins deserve?
<> How is God described in this passage?
<> What does He do with our sin?
<> If that’s true, how does that change your life and the way that you approach Him?

If you have put your whole hope faith and trust in Jesus, you are WITHOUT FAULT. You are not living under the burden of your sin any longer. You do not have to carry what He has already carried. You can not have to pay for what He has already paid for. You are clean. Live like it.

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