Every Christian wants to live a pure and blameless life, one that's marked by a continued sanctification and growth in the power to say "no" to sin. However, because many don't know how, many are struggling to do it. Great thing that the Bible gives us the key.
"I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God" (Philippians 1:9-11).
What really matters
Paul said in Philippians 1:10 that we should "understand what really matters" so that we may live "pure and blameless lives." When we realise this, this is very liberating.
Most of us have been taught to read the Bible and do what it says. That is right. However, many fail to understand that God is not a set of rules, "thou shalts" and "thou shalt nots," and thus it's not about following a stringent list of commands to be able to live a pure and blameless life.
Rather, it's when we know and understand what really matters. That's when we can begin to live right.
Paul gave a clearer explanation in Colossians 1:9-10:
"... We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honour and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better."
Knowledge of God's will
What Paul said echoed that which the Lord Jesus Christ Himself spoke about His life, according to John 6:38-40.
"For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day."
Friends, it is the Lord's will that all men will be saved. It was His will for the Lord Jesus Christ to die for our sins and make the way for us to be reconciled to Him. And now that it's our turn, it's God's will for us to live for Christ.
Simple, isn't it?
Friends, we will be able to live a pure and blameless life when we live for Christ alone. When all of our actions, thoughts and desires are motivated by gratefulness for what He has done, and obedience to what He has said, and empowered by His Holy Spirit who lives in us, we will be able to live "pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return" (Philippians 1:10).
