Before the foundation of the world, God had a purpose in mind for those who would one day be in Christ: that we should be “holy and without blame before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:4). In this encouraging teaching by Frank Garcia, we examine what it means to be holy, set apart unto God, and blameless, free from guilt and acquitted before Him. These are not qualities we must earn in order to gain God’s acceptance. They describe the position He has already given us because of what Jesus Christ accomplished on our behalf.
Yet there is often a gap between who God has made us in Christ and how we actually live from day to day. Scripture calls us to progressively bring our thoughts, choices, and conduct into greater agreement with the new identity God has given us. Through His Word, the gift of holy spirit, walking in fellowship with Him, responding to His correction, and keeping our eyes fixed on the hope of Christ’s return, we can continue growing into the men and women God has called us to be.
Our pursuit of holiness is therefore not an attempt to earn God’s approval; it is our response to the love and grace He has already shown us. God chose us, blessed us in Christ, and declared us holy and without blame. Now we have the privilege of living each day in a way that increasingly reflects what He has already made us to be.