Suitable Offering!

Under the old Jewish law, there was criteria set up (by the word of God) for the purpose of determining what was or was not suitable for being offered to God. Whatever was offered -- whether it be of the flock or the herd -- was to be "without blemish." ( Leviticus 1:3 & 10; 3:1 & 4; 4:34, 28, & 32; etc.) However, this was not always followed (note Malachi 1:8) and therefore offerings were made that we unacceptable to God.

Jesus was an offering "without blemish or spot" made on our behalf. ( 1 Peter 1:19; Hebrews 9:14) By His death on the cross we have been redeemed; purchased and brought back to God. Because of the power of Jesus' blood, as long as we remain in our relationship with Him we too can be a suitable offering to God.

In Paul's letter to the church at Colossae we read. . .
"(21) And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, (22) he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, IN ORDER TO PRESENT YOU holy and BLAMELESS and above reproach before him," ( Colossians 1:21-22 ESV)

The word translated "blameless" is from the Greek word "amomos" which is translated "without blemish" [the preferred translation according to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words] as well as "without blame", "unblameable", "faultless", and "without fault". It is this Greek word that is used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) with reference to the sacrifices done under the old law, especially in passages of Leviticus, Numbers, Psalms and Ezekiel. Because of Christ such is God's view of us so that we can become the "LIVING SACRIFICES" Paul urged his Roman readers to present their bodies to being. ( Romans 12:1)

Let us continually consider the condition of our life being offered in holy service to God. May we praise God for the purification we have received in Christ while we live "as children of God WITHOUT BLEMISH in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." ( Philippians 2:15 ESV).

Have a great day BLESSED TO LIVE AS A PLEASING OFFERING TO GOD!
Carl

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