Blameless

Genesis 17:1  When Abram was 99 years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before me and be blameless. 

Okay, normally that statement would send me into a fit of hopelessness and recrimination.  But this time, God had set it all up.  He had lined up His visits to perfectly illustrate a teaching He wanted to hammer home in my thick head.

We've been studying the book of Genesis in Sunday morning Bible study.  So as I did this weeks chapter, I came across and got stuck on this verse.   Like I said, reading this verse has always brought thoughts of failure.  Always knowing I could never live up to "blameless."  I always associated that with perfection....ugh that horrible, lofty idea that we desire so much but in much frustration can never attain.  This time God intervened before hand through my daily "Jesus Calling" devotional.

A few days before I came to this verse in Genesis, the devotional had spoke on our Robe of Righteousness.  It told how we are to keep it on, even when it feels uncomfortable or we don't live up to wearing it.  When I read this verse, that little nugget of hope came right to mind.  I have a Robe of Righteousness, given to me by Jesus.  That is my blamelessness.

So the night before coming upon this passage of Scripture, I had an ugly failure at work....my mouth again (Lord, save me from my tongue!!).   And so, all the Lord's teaching on this came together to create a moment of understanding, of conviction instead of condemnation.  I was saddened by my cruel, hurtful words, but so thankful that I didn't have to kick off my Robe and trample it underfoot in my haste to guilt and penance.  No, I could come for forgiveness.  And remain in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  That is His design for me.  I cannot make up for my mistakes.  I can't pile up enough good deeds to earn my robe.  No, when I sin I must tighten my robe tighter around me, in faith.

Oh, and lets add to this lesson of the Lord's....that morning I read my little praise journal..."31 Days of Praise...and guess what area of worship it led me in, you guessed it..."in Christ I am righteous with His righteousness."   Isn't God awesome?  He leads us gently in the path of learning.  Convicting and comforting all at the same time.

Thank You Lord for the gift of righteousness given to us by and through Jesus.  Help us to keep those robes on and throw off guilt, condemnation and shame.  Renew our minds to live and walk in the righteousness You provided.  In Jesus name.  Amen.