Blameless in the Bible | Definition and Why It Matters

The concept of being blameless in the Bible is characterized by being free from sin and fault and without guilt.

When we think of the word blameless in the Bible, it seems to be an impossible feat to achieve. At the top of our heads, we associate blamelessness with perfection. Unfortunately, as humans, we are far from perfect. Though it would seem that we are far from what the Bible identifies as blameless, it isn’t something that cannot be achieved. The Bible has given us multiple verses to follow to live a holy and blameless life. Let’s look at what being innocent means in the Bible and what we should do to live a godly life.

Blameless in the Bible

What Does it Mean to be Blameless in the Bible?

First, let’s look at what the word “blameless” means. According to Merriam-Webster, blameless means free from guilt or blame. It also means “not responsible for anything bad or doing something bad or wrong,” in the Cambridge Dictionary.

There are different concepts of blamelessness found in the Bible. In the Old Testament, sacrificial animals are considered blameless because they are without any defects. Another idea from the Old Testament states that blamelessness is a moral sense rather than a physical trait. This definition stems from Psalm 19:13, where David prays and seeks help from God.

In the New Testament, moral blamelessness is exclusively a characteristic of Jesus Christ and His followers; in fact, Jesus was referred to as a lamb without blemish or defect in 1 Peter 1:19

Who was considered Blameless in the Bible?

The Bible urges all followers of Jesus Christ to live a blameless life. However, being blameless isn’t the same as being perfect. Only God is perfect; as humans, it would be impossible to achieve that because we are all sinners. Being blameless is a constant strive to obey Jesus’ teachings

According to Colossians 1:22, blamelessness isn’t gained through good works but by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It also says in 1 Corinthians 1:8 and Jude 24 that we believers remain blameless until the final judgment through God’s power and mercy. However, as Christians, we must also do our part to stay blameless until Jesus Christ returns. 

Blameless Examples from the Bible

Genesis 17:1-2

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between you and me and greatly increase your numbers.” 

This passage talks about God’s promise to Abraham. Here it states that to be blameless, you will need to walk faithfully with God. As a result of Abraham’s faithful obedience to God, he was called blameless and the father of all nations. Do remember that this was before Jesus’ crucifixion so being blameless was a temporary trait and had to be earned continuously.

Psalm 15:1-3

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others” 

What David means about blamelessness refers to how one lives their life. Those who are blameless are innocent and have not done anything to harm another person. For someone to be blameless, they must resist temptation daily and choose to depend on and find contentment in God wholly. Reading through Psalms, you can feel David pouring his heart out to God. It showed his dedication and faithfulness to Him.

Colossians 1:22-23

But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel you heard proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” 

In the many letters Paul sent to the church, this one reminds us to be wary of false teachers who undermine the importance and power of Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:22-23 was one of the letters written after Christ’s death. Here, Paul reminds the church that Jesus’ sacrifice has made them new, holy, and blameless in the eyes of the Lord. We are now made pure and without blame through Christ’s death and resurrection.

Philippians 2:14-16

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

In another passage from Paul, he talks about blamelessness as a condition when we withstand arguing with one another. Doing so is also part of becoming Christ-like, blameless, and pure. It is a blessing that comes with being called children of God.

How to Live a Blameless and Holy life?

Blameless in the Bible

Trust in the Lord.

Trusting in the Lord isn’t just a one-time thing; it’s a daily and consistent decision. When we decide to trust in God, we are confident in His guidance and provisions. Though it will be scary at times, especially when we do not see the big picture, choosing to trust in Him is a behavior of the blameless. Take David as an example; when he committed the gravest sins, he did not run away and hide from God. David still chose to trust in the Lord and crew nearer to Him.

Be mindful of God’s unfailing love.

Along with trusting in God comes being conscious of His unfailing love. Someone blameless knows that no matter what we do, God won’t love us any less. Though we sometimes feel inadequate and unworthy of His love, it doesn’t change how God views us. When the Lord said that He forgave us, believe and forgive yourself. 

Rely on God’s faithfulness.

We can only entirely rely on God’s faithfulness when we trust He will follow through with His promises. To be able to hold on and remain steadfast in His guidance is a trait of the blameless. Submit to God and allow His teachings to shape the way we live from here on out. We must constantly remind ourselves that God’s plans are infinitely better than we could ever fathom. Trust in Him and surrender control.

Rest in God’s grace alone.

Lastly, to become blameless, we must deny ourselves and praise God in everything we do. Lean on His grace and power because we know in our hearts that He is enough. We should do this not only when we have problems but also when things are going well in our lives. So that we will be, through Christ’s death and resurrection, reminded that everything we have is given and can be taken away by God because only He knows what’s best for us. 

Why Does the Word Blameless Matter to Christians?

The word “blameless” shouldn’t be seen as a burden by Christians but should serve as a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The salvation we received through Jesus Christ has cleansed us of our sins and made us worthy to go home to the Father. Though it is a blessing to be called blameless, it is not something we should boast about because it was freely given to us. The credit should solely be on Jesus Christ because He is the reason why we have this gift.

However, remaining blameless is a long process and a challenging one at that. As humans, we are very forgetful. Sometimes, we make so many mistakes before we learn from them and never repeat them. This is why we have to constantly teach ourselves to trust in God. Rely on His guidance and believe that His love for us is unchanging. It will be hard to believe because we naturally want to control our lives but trust me, it will all be worth it in the end.

Blameless in the Bible

In Summary

When Jesus Christ died for our sins on the cross, He made us new and called us blameless. He did that so we could move on from our old selves and live the life God intended for us. Jesus wanted us to forgive ourselves just as He did and focus on our higher calling. 

Being blameless is a life-long process and is a challenge to maintain, but it will all be worth it in the end. Trust in Him and rely on His faithfulness. Make it a point to remind yourself that God’s love has and will never change, no matter what. Take up your cross and walk in the new life Jesus gave you.

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Alex Shute
EDITOR
Alex Shute, MBA
Alex is a family man and entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. His passion is to serve the global Church and bring people of diverse backgrounds together to learn & grow.


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