What does it mean to be "pure and blameless" until Christ's return? Rooted in the Text Philippians 1:10 — “so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” Pure: Inside-Out Cleanness • The Greek eilikrinēs carries the idea of being unmixed, transparent when held up to the light • Purity starts in the heart (Psalm 119:9; Matthew 5:8) and shows itself in speech, motives, and relationships • 1 John 3:3 — “everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” Blameless: No Cause for Stumbling • The Greek aproskopos means “without offense,” giving no legitimate reason for accusation • Colossians 1:22 — Christ aims “to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence” • Philippians 2:14-15 urges us to “shine as lights… blameless and pure” in a crooked culture Why ‘Until the Day of Christ’ Matters • The return of Jesus is a fixed reality; our lives are lived on a countdown (2 Peter 3:14) • 1 Thessalonians 5:23 — God desires to keep “your entire spirit, soul, and body… blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” • Hope of His appearing fuels holy living now (Titus 2:13-14) Scripture’s Picture of Purity and Blamelessness • Moral integrity: flee immorality, pursue righteousness (1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1) • Doctrinal fidelity: guard the gospel from error or dilution (2 Timothy 1:13-14) • Compassionate action: “visit orphans and widows… keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27) • Relational peace: “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live in peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18) Practical Pathways to Purity • Daily intake of Scripture — it washes and renews the mind (Ephesians 5:26; Romans 12:2) • Confession and quick repentance — keep short accounts with God (1 John 1:9) • Spirit-led self-examination — invite Him to search and reveal (Psalm 139:23-24) • Intentional community — walk with believers who sharpen you (Hebrews 10:24-25) • Focused avoidance — make no provision for the flesh (Romans 13:14) • Active service — good works crowd out idle temptation (Ephesians 2:10) God’s Provision That Makes It Possible • The cross cleanses; the resurrection empowers (Romans 6:4-14) • The Spirit indwells and produces fruit that crowds out impurity (Galatians 5:16-25) • Jude 24 — He “is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless” Living with the Finish Line in View • Keep eternity in focus; life is a brief stewardship (James 4:14) • Let the certainty of meeting Christ shape choices today • Anticipate the joy of hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21) |
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