“…we should be holy and blameless before Him.”

Ephesians 1:4 ESV

We were chosen to be holy and blameless before the world was created. Let’s take one word at a time, what does it mean to be holy? Something or someone that is holy is set apart from the common or ordinary use and used only for a stated or special purpose. In Exodus 28:36, Aaron wore a headplate of gold inscribed with the words "Holiness Unto The Lord". At that time, it was understood that the Aaronic priesthood was designated as "Holy to the Lord". Later, Jeremiah the prophet declared that all of Israel was "Holy unto the Lord" (Jeremiah 2:3). And Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 4:7, reminds us that "For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness." To be holy to the Lord means that we are His special possession, His sons and daughters separate unto Him for His purposes.

To be blameless means to be free from sin and blemishes, in other words, to be perfect. However, it is impossible for us as humans to attain perfection in the flesh. Nevertheless, by acknowledging our old human nature as dead and receiving Christ, we are reborn in spirit. It is then the Holy Spirit dwells within us and we are considered blameless by the Lord, who is Himself blameless. To be holy and blameless is to be in Christ, probably a better way to say it is that Christ resides is within us.

Becoming holy and blameless is not something we can achieve on our own. Rather, it is a process that the Lord can work within us as we allow Him to shape and train us to become His sons and daughters. This transformation can take a lifetime, as the Lord continues to work in us until we become true reflections of the Father's character.

Paul describes this process of change in 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." In other words, as we focus on the Lord and allow Him to work in us, we gradually become transformed into His likeness, becoming more and more like Him as we grow in His grace and demonstrably in our faith.

In ancient times, during the yearly Passover sacrifice, the priests were required to offer a yearling ewe lamb without any disfigurement or blemish. This lamb offered was considered as a penalty for sins committed by the people. The priest would lay his hands upon the lamb's head on behalf of the people, this symbolically transferred or imparted the offensive sin to the lamb, after which the lamb would be slaughtered. This sacrifice would atone for the sins of the people. Leviticus 4:32-33.  The lamb was considered blameless, as Jesus was considered blameless.

Jesus is often referred to as the sacrificial lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. In 1 Peter 1:18-20 ESV, Peter emphasizes “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” It is remarkable that Jesus is thought of in these terms, as a sacrificial lamb. Isaiah 53:7 ESV also describes the Messiah as a lamb “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”  What is amazing is that Jesus fully accepted his fate and did not defend or revile those who spoke against him, thus remaining blameless and without reproach.

To become holy and blameless, it is crucial to recognize our identity in Christ first and foremost. As God's sons and daughters, we have a unique role to play in the divine kingdom. We must realize that we do not belong to ourselves, for we have been bought with a very high price - the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ Himself. Knowing this, we must ask ourselves “how we should then live?”

Our “holy” purpose in Christ is to reach out and help build a community of faith. This community is comprised of believers who desire to experience deep fellowship with Christ and with one another. Through our lives, they may see Christ working in us, changing us, and making us “blameless” before our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.  That is how the church deepens and multiplies.

As believers, we eagerly anticipate the return of Jesus with excitement and zeal. It is our calling to share the message of God's love with others, for we believe that every person is a beloved child of God, and that the Father desires to forge a personal relationship with each one of us. Many people have yet to receive Jesus as their savior, but the Father hopes that all will come to Him willingly. However, there will come a time when Jesus returns, “…that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11) It is important to remember that this event will not be voluntary, and many will still seek to rebel against Jesus, but they will only bring their own demise upon themselves. 

Let us have the boldness and the courage to spread the message of God's love with urgency, so that all may have the opportunity to willingly receive Him and experience the real joy and freedom that awaits them.

Stephen Barnett