Reflections on Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:23, Matthew 5:13
How important is self-assessment? The answer may not simply be that we know ourselves best. Even if this is the case, is self-assessment often the least prioritized task on our agendas? Do we genuinely engage in it? Frequently, we uncover aspects of ourselves that we would rather ignore, often due to personal hypocrisy. For example, we may cite our academic achievements, such as holding a master’s degree or a doctorate, as evidence of self-knowledge. These are merely examples of responses rooted in human pride. However, God is omniscient. As stated, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). This verse alone challenges the notion that human achievement is the source of all knowledge, affirming instead that all knowledge originates from God.
I Thessalonians 5:23
King James Version
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
New Living Translation
“Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.”
What can be the profound meaning of being blameless? Does being blameless rank us equal to God? The Holy Scriptures cite this word with various meanings, and we have to spare time to go deeper into this word. To be found blameless simply means that we should not be caught in a time when we engage in actions that go against God’s will or violate His moral laws. Let us be reminded that we are creations and can succumb anytime to temptations; falling back to our former selves is not impossible. A stick of cigarettes can always be a way to open a pack. A shot of any alcoholic drink may lead to more, leading to a bottle. The devil and his evil works will never change. It will become more relentless.
Preserve
Before we begin to go deeper into the meaning of blameless, let’s first take a look at the word preserve. The Greek word for the word preserved is tereo; Transliteration: tēreō; Phonetic Spelling: (tay-reh’-o). It is a verb, and its primary meaning is to watch over, to guard.
The word “preserve” means to maintain an original or existing state. In Greek, however, it conveys the idea of watching over or guarding. Maintaining an existing state is different from merely watching over it. Is there a connection between these two meanings? Yes. The verse indicates that we must watch over or guard the existing state we are in, which is to remain blameless.
Matthew 5:13
King James Version
“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”
New Living Translation
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
The Holy Bible is indeed cohesive.
What does salt do?
What can be the profound meaning of being blameless? Does being blameless rank us equal to God? The Holy Scriptures cite this word with various meanings, and we have to spare time to go deeper into this word.
Being found blameless does not simply mean avoiding being caught when we fall short of God’s will or His moral laws. Rather, it involves living with integrity, sincerely striving to align our actions with God’s standards, and seeking forgiveness when we fail.
To be blameless is to walk with God in genuine obedience, quickly turning from sin instead of hiding it, and to stand clean before Him through the grace of Jesus. What our Lord is telling us is that we have the power to change ourselves first, then for others to see and help them change, too.
Looking back, it is now clear what the meaning of salt is. If we do not preserve our blamelessness, common sense tells us that it serves no purpose to be holy or separated for God.
The spiritual war.
There is a spiritual war we are going to face the moment we are born. It is inevitable. Since we were born spiritually dead, we are totally unaware of this war. The moment we are born again, and now called Christians or followers of Jesus Christ, we face this spiritual battle. This spiritual battle only ends when we breathe our last, and it also means victory.
What are we fighting for in the first place? Preservation of our blameless status. If we are blameless, we are holy, and if we are holy, we will be separated; God uses us. The absolute meaning of satisfaction for both our mortal body and spirit is now explained and achieved.
The bottom line
The old man
God saved us, and He wants us to be blameless, which begins with examining our inner selves. Our enemy always targets the flesh(the old man in us). While the focus should be on the inner self, it often takes on the wrong motive, emphasizing the flesh rather than the spiritual, thus producing what is temporal and not spiritual. Instead of a stronger faith, doubts, worries, and uncertainties flood our inner selves.
When the apostle Paul said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith,” he was expressing his perseverance. The same Greek word used for “kept” is “tereo,” which means he was able to preserve his integrity and remain blameless in his faith.
Everything begins from within us, from our inner selves. While external factors can influence us, true change must originate from within. When we strive for holiness, we must protect that state, which can only occur through the intercession of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.