10 July 2020 – 1 Corinthians 1:8 (NIV)

10 July 2020 – 1 Corinthians 1:8 (NIV)

Scripture

He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection

What does it mean to be “blameless”? Typically, it means that no one can blame you for any wrongdoing, even God who knows our hearts and thoughts. And in this passage, Paul is writing that God will keep us “blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” How is that possible?? We are sinners. We struggle with a wide array of sins – some explicit, others of the heart (like greed, envy, unforgiveness, pride, and self-centeredness). Let’s be honest, none of us are blameless. Indeed, Paul makes this point in other letters – most famously he wrote in Romans that “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Paul also described himself as “the chief of sinners.”

So, what does it mean to be blameless?

One of the central truths of the gospel message is that our righteousness is not a product of what we do, but of what Christ has done. Jesus took our sins upon Himself on the cross so that we can be seen as blameless. We are then given the “cloak of righteousness,” which illustrates that God sees us through the work of Christ and not as people who have fallen short.

So, when Paul prays that God “will keep you firm to the end,” it is really about our relationship with Christ – that our faith in and love for Jesus will endure to the end, so that one day, when we are in the presence of God for judgment, we will be seen as blameless. And this is not because of our supposed piety on earth, but because Jesus took our blame on the cross.

Thoughts for the day

  • What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
  • What does this passage tell you about humanity?
  • What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
  • How can you apply this message in an area of your life that needs transformation?
  • Is there anyone you think should hear or will benefit from this message? Go and tell them.

Prayer

Pray this prayer throughout the day, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

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By |2020-07-05T20:23:59+08:00July 10th, 2020|Categories: Week 2|Comments Off on 10 July 2020 – 1 Corinthians 1:8 (NIV)

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About the Author:

Charlie Engelmann currently serving his third term as an elder of SCF. He is the director of Pepperdine University's Shanghai residential program and has lived in China on and off since 2001. He and his wife, Judith, have three kids: Ethan, Evangeline and EJ.