BLAMELESS, INNOCENT, GUILTLESS, WITHOUT REPROACH

[Johann!@#]

BLAMELESS, INNOCENT, GUILTLESS, WITHOUT REPROACH

A. Opening Statements

1. This concept theologically describes mankind's original state (i.e., Genesis 1, the Garden of Eden).

2. Sin and rebellion have decimated this condition of perfect fellowship (i.e., Genesis 3).

3. Humans (male and female) long for the restoration of fellowship with God because they are made in His image and likeness (i.e., Gen. 1:26-27).

4. God has dealt with sinful mankind in several ways

a. godly leaders (i.e., Abraham, Moses, Isaiah)

b. sacrificial system (i.e., Leviticus 1-7)

c. godly examples (i.e., Noah, Job)

5. Ultimately God provided the Messiah

a. as full revelation of Himself (cf. John 1:1-14; Col. 1:13-17; Heb. 1:2-3)

b. as the perfect sacrifice for sin (cf. Mark 10:45; 2 Cor. 5:21)

6. Christians are made blameless

a. legally through Christ's imputed righteousness (cf. Rom. 4:3,6,8,11,22,23,24; James 2:23)

b. progressively through the work of the Spirit (John 16:8-11)

c. the goal of Christianity is Christlikeness (cf. Rom. 8:28-30; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 4:19; Eph. 1:4; 4:13; 1 Thess. 3:13; 4:3; 5:23; 2 Thess. 2:13; Titus 2:14; 1 Pet. 1:15)), which in reality, is the restoration of the image of God lost in the fall of Adam and Eve.

7. Heaven is a restoration of the perfect fellowship of the Garden of Eden. Heaven is the New Jerusalem coming down out of God's presence (cf. Rev. 21:2) to a purified earth (cf. 2 Pet. 3:10). The Bible begins and ends on the same themes.

a. intimate, personal fellowship with God

b. in a garden setting (Genesis 1-2 and Revelation 21-22)

c. by prophetic statement, the presence and companionship of animals (cf. Isa. 11:6-9)

B. Old Testament

1. There are so many different Hebrew words that carry the concept of perfection, blamelessness, innocence that it would be hard to name and show all the intricate relationships.

2. The main terms carrying the concept of perfection, guiltlessness, or innocence (according to Robert B. Girdlestone, Synonyms of the Old Testament, pp. 94-99) are:

a. shalom (BDB1022, KB 1532)

b. thamam (BDB1070, KB 1743)

c. calah (BDB478, KB 476)

3. The Septuagint (i.e., the Bible of the early church) translates these Hebrew concepts into Koine Greek terms used in the NT (see C. below).

4. The key concept is connected to the sacrificial system.

a. amōmos (BDB 1071, cf. Exod. 29:1; Lev. 1:3,10; 3:1,6; Num. 6:14)

b. amiantos and aspilus also have cultic connotations

C. New Testament

1. the legal concept

a. the Hebrew legal cultic connotation is translated by amōmos (BDB 1071, cf. Eph. 5:27; Phil. 2:15; 1 Pet. 1:19)

b. the Greek legal connotations (cf. 1 Cor. 1:8; Col. 1:22)

2. Christ is the sinless, blameless, innocent One (amōmos, cf. Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet. 1:19)

3. Christ's followers must emulate Him (amōmos, cf. Eph. 1:4; 5:27; Phil. 2:15; Col. 1:22; 2 Pet. 3:14; Jude 1:24; Rev. 14:5)

4. This concept is also used of church leaders

a. anegklētos, "without accusation" (cf. 1 Tim. 3:10; Titus 1:6-7)

b. anepilemptos, "above criticism" or "no handle for reproach" (cf. 1 Tim. 3:2; 5:7; 6:14; Titus 2:8)

5. The concept of "undefiled" (amiantos) is used of

a. Christ Himself (cf. Heb. 7:26)

b. the Christian's inheritance (cf. 1 Pet. 1:4)

6. The concept of "wholeness" or "soundness" (holoklēria) (cf. Acts 3:16; 1 Thess. 5:23; James 1:4)

7. The concept of "without fault," "guiltless innocence" is conveyed by amemptos (cf. Luke 1:6; Phil. 2:15; 3:6; 1 Thess. 2:10; 3:13; 5:23)

8. The concept of "not subject to blame" is conveyed by amōmētos (cf. 2 Pet. 3:14)

9. The concept of "spotless," "unblemished" is often used in passages that have one of the above terms also (cf. 1 Tim. 6:14; James 1:27; 1 Pet. 1:19; 2 Pet. 3:14)

D. The number of words in Hebrew and Greek which convey this concept shows its importance. God has provided our need through Christ and now calls on us to be like Him.

Believers are positionally, forensically declared "right," "just," "blameless" by the work of Christ. Now believers are to possess their position. "Walk in the light as He is in the light" (cf. 1 John 1:7). "Walk worthy of the calling" (cf. Eph. 4:1,17; 5:2,15). Jesus has restored the image of God. Intimate fellowship is now possible, but remember God wants a people who reflect His character, as His Son did, to a lost world (i.e., the nations). We are called to nothing less than holiness (cf. Matt. 5:20,48; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:13-16). God's holiness, not only legally, but existentially!

 

[gordon777]

6. The concept of "wholeness" or "soundness" (holoklēria) (cf. Acts 3:16; 1 Thess. 5:23; James 1:4)

7. The concept of "without fault," "guiltless innocence" is conveyed by amemptos (cf. Luke 1:6; Phil. 2:15; 3:6; 1 Thess. 2:10; 3:13; 5:23)

8. The concept of "not subject to blame" is conveyed by amōmētos (cf. 2 Pet. 3:14)

9. The concept of "spotless," "unblemished" is often used in passages that have one of the above terms also (cf. 1 Tim. 6:14; James 1:27; 1 Pet. 1:19; 2 Pet. 3:14)

D. The number of words in Hebrew and Greek which convey this concept shows its importance. God has provided our need through Christ and now calls on us to be like Him.

Believers are positionally, forensically declared "right," "just," "blameless" by the work of Christ. Now believers are to possess their position. "Walk in the light as He is in the light" (cf. 1 John 1:7). "Walk worthy of the calling" (cf. Eph. 4:1,17; 5:2,15). Jesus has restored the image of God.

The sign for the end of the world is all to do with many false teachers, 9 2 Peter 2:1-2.) and the way to know them is they cannot be corrected, ( IMPLACABLE.) they are quick to speak, and slow to hear, ( James 1:19.) also they speak for division, ( debate/strife. Romans 1:29. 1 Timothy 6:3-5.) not for unity. ( acknowledgment of the doctrine according to godliness, they are those who separate themselves, not having the Spirit..)


Romans 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, IMPLACABLE, unmerciful:

Jude 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.



We are not told those testimonies at this ending time for nothing, not to ignore to our peril, we are told them because even though the word is known in the world, Satan comes to take the word away immediately. ( with those many false teachers of his)

Even in the beginning Satan resisted what God had spoken, and man made in the image of God did not show he was in the image of God, but showed he was in the image of the wicked one, quickly turning to lies, to idolatry, to death, that God warned them, they would receive for disobeying the Lord.

Man cant be restored to obedience, to light, to righteousness, to holiness, to justice, when he had none of those ways. That is men of the flesh, who think that way, who think they can teach like the devil and the devil to continue on from where he left off deceiving, in the garden.

Looking at three chapters, it is quick to see what is revealed, to hold fast to what is good, keeping away from evil, sanctified wholly, to be blameless with Christ, and the faithfulness of Christ, who shows the very opposite to Adam.

God working in us to do of HIs good pleasure, the requirement to not do as Adam, which is seen as not satisfied with all the trees of the garden, but wanting more, instead of Christ who leaves heaven to come to less, to also give away HIs life for us, so we do not die in the way of Adam. That is shining as light to be blameless, because the true light now shines.


John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

2 Peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

1 John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.




As for being without rebuke, did I not say they cannot be corrected and are only teaching for strife ?



Proverbs 9:7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.

Proverbs 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.


Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.