July 23, 2017 (Proverbs 28:18)

“Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved, but he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall” (Prov 28:18). The word “blameless” is not always well understood as to its meaning, even though it is found any number of times in the OT and NT. For one to be blameless is not to be confused with being sinless, for such has only been true for a single being in the history of humanity, that of course being the Son of God in the Person of Christ Jesus. To be blameless is to not act in any way known contrary to the revealed will of God. In other words, no willful, intentional, or deliberate action other than what God sees as acceptable. While one might choose to debate that such behavior is possible, the scriptures declare a blameless walk IS POSSIBLE. In fact, we are told specifically to live in such a way that we might be blameless in the day of our Lord’s return (1 Corinthians 1:8). Paul commands that persons in high positions within the church  be blameless (see 1 Timothy and Titus), a command obviously given little attention in present times. Peter exhorts believers as they look for the coming of the Lord to be “diligent to be found in Christ in peace, without spot and blameless”  (2 Peter 3:14). Those who think they can act apart from the will of God in the absence of consequences are described in the proverb as “perverse.” Let us never allow ourselves to become deceived in this regard as is easily done: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (2 Peter 6:7,8).