Living A Life That Leads Others Away From Sin…

 

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.—Philippians 1:9-11

Lately, I have taken to reading Scripture on long car rides because it helps me keep my focus on things above.  As our car hurtles down the highways with thousands of other vehicles concentrating on the word of God helps me to remember that I am sheltered and safe in His sovereign and merciful arms. 

I read the above verses first in the NKJV and then after a few readings I switched over to the Amplified version. 

And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight, so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin]; filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God [so that His glory may be both revealed and recognized].—Philippians 1:9-11 AMPL. 

The second half of verse 10 drew my attention and spoke to my heart…

and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin];

Blameless -Without offense - living a life that leads others away from sin

Strong’s defines it this way:

having nothing to strike against, not causing to stumble of a smooth road metaph. of not leading others to sin by one's mode of life

I really liked that…

When we live a life that is blameless or without offense, we live a life that leads others away from sin. Logically speaking then, if we are leading them by our mode of living away from sin, we are pointing them to Jesus.  

That really hit home and made me think.  Beloved…Our sin doesn’t just defile us. It defiles those around us as well. How much more then would the light of Jesus shining in our hearts, give the knowledge of the glory of God to those around us. 

Oh, Father..by Your Spirit do this work in my own heart…may my words and actions not cause any to stumble in sin but would instead, lead them away from sin and into the waiting arms of their Savior.  

You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.—2 Corinthians 3:2-3

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.—1 Peter 2:11-12

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."—1 Peter 1:15-16

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.—Ephesians 5:1