Thursday, January 23, 2014

Spotless

I asked this question recently, "What does it mean to keep oneself unspotted from the world?" There was some discussion about the word, unspotted, Jesus was the spotless lamb of God. The Israelites were to offer only those animals which were spotless.

Here lies some of my ponderings and discoveries, the verse from which the word sprang to mind:

James_1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

G784 - From G1 (as a negative particle) and G4695; unblemished (physically or morally): - without spot, unspotted.
  • G1 - Of Hebrew origin; the first letter of the alphabet: figuratively only (from its use as a numeral) the first. Often used (usually “an”, before a vowel) also in composition (as a contraction from G427) in the sense of privation; so in many words beginning with this letter; occasionally in the sense of union (as a contraction of G260): - Alpha. 
  • 4695 - From G4696; to stain or soil (literally or figuratively): - defile, spot.
    • G4696 - Of uncertain derivation; a stain or blemish, that is, (figuratively) defect, disgrace: - spot. 
1Ti 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

2Pe 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.

The Greek word 784 is used only 4 times, once about the Christ, thrice directed toward the sojourners.

Unspotted from what? The world.

Keeping this commandment (which one) without spot.

Diligent to be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.

So the question remains...how does one live in this world, yet apart from it?  Does being spotless mean never mingling with the people or ways of the world?

1Co 5:9-10  I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

Yet the Lord exhorts us:

2Co_6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,


So how is this walk in Christ balanced?  Do we watch the movies and shows of the world?  Listen to the music?  Is that 'renewing' our minds in the ways of the world?  How do we balance being spotless, yet living in a very defiled world?

Is there some quota or ratio?  I can watch 10% secular movies/tv, but the other 90% must be 'christian' - which leads to the question, if something has the word 'christian' in or on it, does that really mean its been sanctified and set apart for Him, by Him and to Him?

Or is it each person has limits to what they can or cannot allow in their lives, some can listen to secular music and it has no detriment to them...yet others have to be more restrictive in their selection of music?

I'm interested in hearing from others how or what you consider being spotless to mean - how is that worked out in your everyday lives?

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