Spotless, Blameless, And At Peace In Christ

"Today's Devotion" For January 31, 2006

Read: II Peter 3:14-18; Philippians 1:3-11

SPOTLESS, BLAMELESS, AND AT PEACE IN CHRIST

"So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him." (II Peter 3:14)

Have you ever noticed how critical we are of one another? Certainly each of us is subject to criticism because, Lord knows, none of us is perfect. Yet stopping with constructive criticism and correction for our lapses of judgment, poor decisions, and contrary actions doesn't generally happen. Human beings aren't particularly forgiving, especially when taking someone to task for their "sins" might advance a personal agenda.

By almost every standard of human judgment, everybody's guilty of something - but not me. No one want to admit to being wrong, but we're perfectly willing to point the finger at the other "guy," especially if we disagree with them. Everybody's guilty of something, so we're willing to believe everything we read about politicians' wrongdoing, especially those we don't like. Everybody's guilty of something, so it's the fault of the oil companies and their "exorbitant profits," that we don't have a national energy policy that would make us less dependent on fossil fuels. Everybody's guilty of something, so we find that most automobile accidents have percentages of guilt assigned to each party, even when it seems obvious that only one party responsible for the accident. Everybody's guilty of something, so when a marriage breaks up each spouse sees themselves as the victim and is certain that the other is to blame for the breakup. Everybody's guilty of something, so student blame their teachers or professors for a poor grade rather than their own lack of studying. Everybody's guilty of something, so when a business deal goes south someone has to be made the "scapegoat" and given a pink slip, even though no one could have prevented the situation from occurring.

There's no doubt that there's plenty of "blame" to go around in life. We're all pretty certain that no one is perfect - it's not part of the human condition. We understand this reality, even though we dream of overcoming it - there are even some who truly believe they have. Thus, as we read Peter's words of encouragement to be "found spotless, blameless, and at peace with God" when Jesus comes again, it's not too much of a stretch for us to respond, "You've got to be kidding!" Based on our own human experience, if we're honest with ourselves, there's no way this can happen - at least not by our action. Yet that's what Scripture lays before us - and, admittedly, from a spiritual perspective it's a scary and impossible situation. Unless, of course, we put our faith and trust in Christ.

Our Lord Jesus Christ, in His suffering, death, and resurrection, paid the price and penalty for our sins and the sins of the whole world. He paid for humanity's imperfection before God, caused by the Fall. By faith in Christ, we are declared to be "spotless, blameless, and at peace" with God. He, by Word and Spirit, through faith in Him, not only prepares us to meet Him when He comes again, but helps us to live lives that reflect the Father's glory in the good deeds we do in response to our faith in Christ. And in such living, we even cause those who don't believe to glorify His name.

Prayer: Father, I know that on my own and of myself I cannot be "spotless, blameless and at peace" with You. Only You can accomplish that in me and for me in Jesus, my Lord and Savior. By Your Word and Spirit, help me to grow more firmly in my faith and service to You. Instead seeking to find the worst in others, help me to touch them with Your love and forgiveness so that they also might be "found spotless, blameless, and at peace" with You when Jesus comes again. May my life - my words and deeds - truly reflect Your grace, mercy, and love in Christ for me so that I might be a living example of faithful living to others. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.