Blameless, Not Abominable

In a world filled with conflicting voices and temptations, how can we live lives that are pleasing to God? This question is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago when the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy provides us with timeless wisdom on this matter, particularly in chapter 18, verses 9-14.

God calls His people to be blameless, to live lives that are wholly devoted to Him. But what does this mean in practice? And how can we possibly achieve it given our inherently sinful nature?

First, we must understand what God considers abominable. The passage in Deuteronomy lists nine specific practices, including child sacrifice, divination, fortune-telling, sorcery, and necromancy. While some of these may seem archaic, their modern equivalents are still very much alive today. How many of us have been tempted to check our horoscopes, consult psychics, or dabble in occult practices?

These abominations aren't just arbitrary rules. They represent a fundamental rejection of God's sovereignty and an attempt to manipulate spiritual forces for our own benefit. When we engage in these practices, we're essentially saying, "God, I don't trust you enough. I need to take matters into my own hands."

But the concept of abomination goes beyond just these specific practices. Throughout Deuteronomy, we see that idolatry, sexual immorality, and even dishonest business practices are considered abominable to God. This reveals a profound truth: what God finds detestable isn't just outward actions, but the corrupt heart that produces them.

So how can we, as inherently sinful beings, possibly live blamelessly before a holy God? The answer lies not in our own efforts, but in the person of Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, makes it clear that "none is righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10). This sobering reality applies to all of us, regardless of how "good" we might consider ourselves to be. Left to our own devices, we are all abominable in God's sight.

But here's where the good news of the gospel shines brightest. Jesus Christ, the only truly blameless one, lived the perfect life we could never live. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, "God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Through faith in Christ, we are declared blameless before God. This isn't just a legal fiction; it's a profound spiritual reality. When God looks at those who trust in Christ, He sees not our sin and abominations, but the perfect righteousness of His Son.

However, this incredible gift of justification is just the beginning of our journey towards blamelessness. God's desire is not just to declare us righteous, but to actually make us righteous. This process, known as sanctification, is a lifelong journey of being conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

Just as we don't expect a newborn baby to immediately act like an adult, God doesn't expect instant maturity from His spiritual children. But He does expect growth. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and our cooperation with His work in our lives, we gradually become more like Christ in our thoughts, actions, and desires.

So what does this look like in practical terms? The apostle Paul gives us clear guidance in Romans 12:1-2:

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Living blamelessly means offering our entire lives as an act of worship to God. It means resisting the pressure to conform to the world's standards and instead allowing God to transform us from the inside out. It means constantly renewing our minds through Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.

As we grow in Christ, we'll find that our ability to discern God's will improves. We won't need to constantly agonize over every decision, wondering if we're making the "right" choice. Instead, we'll develop a Christ-like wisdom that allows us to navigate life's complexities with confidence, knowing that God is with us and for us in everything.

It's important to remember that this journey towards blamelessness is not about perfection. We will still struggle with sin and make mistakes. The difference is that now, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we have the ability to resist temptation and grow in holiness. When we do fall, we have an advocate in Jesus Christ who intercedes for us before the Father (1 John 2:1).

Living blamelessly in a world of abominations is not about withdrawing from the world or creating a list of dos and don'ts. It's about living in such close communion with God that His desires become our desires, His thoughts our thoughts. It's about being so filled with the love of Christ that the allure of sin and worldly wisdom loses its power over us.

As we pursue this blameless life, we become living testimonies to the transforming power of the gospel. Our lives become beacons of hope in a dark world, pointing others to the One who alone can make us truly blameless.

So let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Let us trust in His finished work on the cross for our justification, and cooperate with His Spirit for our ongoing sanctification. And let us look forward with hope to that day when we will stand before Him, finally and fully blameless, to the praise of His glorious grace.