As a young boy, being found blameless was a condition I often sought desperately.

The older I got though, the more blameless I became.  Such was the learning curve of accountability.

But a few years ago, I discovered that being blameless was important to the New Testament authors.  Now that was interesting to me because, as one who’d been saved by my faith in Jesus Christ, I couldn’t understand why that term should even be relevant to me.

But that was based on what I’d been taught—not anything I’d read. 

For example, wouldn’t I already be “blameless” if I’ve been “washed in the blood of the Lamb?”  If Christ has rescued me from the slave market of sin [or saved me] and then declared me righteous because of my belief in Him [or justified me] and is setting me apart from the rest of the world as part of a growing process [or is sanctifying me], how much more blameless can I be?

So, the question was actually, “What does it mean for Christ’s disciple to be blameless?”

There are four similar Greek words translated as “blameless” in the New Testament.  The most commonly used is the adjective ἄμωμος [âmōmôs], meaning blameless, faultless or without blemish.  In his letter to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who [were] at Colossae, the apostle Paul even suggested that the likelihood of them being presented blameless one day before Christ had a condition:

“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless [ἄμωμος] and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.”  [Col. 1:21-23  [my emphasis]

So, since I’m able to read, I can see that blamelessness isn’t just a fringe benefit of my redemption. From a Biblical perspective, it’s intended to be a goal.  And that goal is accomplished by the Holy Spirit’s sanctification process working in me combined with the perseverance I demonstrate in keeping my faith intact.

[What’s my “redemption?” see: Different fruit, Same Good News.]

More specifically though, the ability to remain blameless rests in my willingness to draw near to the throne of Grace, to my High Priest, Jesus Christ.

He’s the only One who can make me spotless—again and again and again.

[see: Not Clean? …Not Good.]