Blameless.

Last night I had dinner with some wonderful Godly women. (If you’re reading this, Loretta, thanks for being such a great leader.) Our discussions mostly evolved around exercise – we have some avid runners in the group. I absolutely could not identify with this. The only thing I might run for is if Hershey’s announced they were going to discontinue making “Kisses” candy. I would then make a quick “run” to the store to pick up as many as I possibly could.

Then the subject made a spiritual turn (thank goodness – maybe I can chime in on this, I’m thinking). But I sat mostly in silence as we talked about being “blameless” as one of our identities in Christ. We were asked if we absolutely feel blameless not only in our heads, but feel it in our hearts. Now I have been over this study before, which we were discussing, and even mentored women with this. But now it was really hitting me that I wasn’t sure I was feeling this in my heart.

I was raised in a very legalistic church. You did everything by the book (the churches rule book), and there didn’t seem to be any room for error. I would hate to call this a form of brain washing, but maybe a rinsing of the mind (then they threw it in the spin cycle for good measure). I couldn’t begin to think of “grace” as a “gift”, or the truth that I didn’t need to do anything to earn it. After all, I grew up where we “exchanged” gifts. I didn’t trust people who gave me something and expected nothing in return.

But early this morning I began to think about  a book I once read.  The book mark was still on the page that spoke to my heart so long ago. “Of course the Son is innocent. He is blamelessness itself. The Father knows this. But the divine pair have an agreement, and the unthinkable must now take place. Jesus will be treated as if personally responsible for every sin ever committed.” (When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steven Estes) 

I love that God’s grace is a “gift”, with no strings attached, nothing expected in return. It’s a free gift. He took all my sin upon Himself- every act of sin I have committed or will ever commit. I am His. I am loved. I am complete in Christ. I am blameless. Amen!