It is Never Too Late to Leave a Godly Example - personal notes

Proverbs 20:7: The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. A casual reading of that verse can initially lead one to discouragement and despair. A lie of the Christian's enemy is: “You have blown it so badly with your children and there is nothing you can ever do to fix it now.” His name is Apollyon (accuser). His slander has some truth in it, but it is bent therefore making the whole accusation a lie. Another lie: “It’s MY life and what I do does not affect anyone else. My sin hurts only me.” Exodus 20:5-6 – children and grandchildren can experience the bad consequences of my sinful choices, stupidity, stubbornness, and foolishness. There is much misunderstanding and wrong teaching about this passage. Simply put, our choices, good or bad, have consequences that effect others. “It’s too late for me with my children.” That is not a true statement. One can still grow in grace and knowledge of Christ as Philippians 1:6 still holds true: He [God] who began [His] good work in you, will perfect it until the last great day. (cp. Psalm 138:8). As followers of Christ we do not always get it right. We constantly fail the Lord. Psalm 32:8 speaks of the blessedness of being forgiven; for any and every sin against God; yesterday, today, and tomorrow. But the believer in Christ must never lose sight that the only righteous that matters is found only in Christ to whom he is connected. 1 John 2:1-2: righteous before God because of Christ. Rightly related to God because of Christ. Reconciled to God through Christ. Because true believers are rightly related to God, they are walking rightly as described in Scripture. What counts is that he is living a blameless life. This is also a misunderstood word. It refers to a life being progressively changed by God according to His purposes. No matter how badly one has failed the Lord, it is still possible to learn to live a blameless life. It does not mean “sinless” (see Psa 119:1-8 for an expanded explanation). A blameless person is one whose life is lived according to well-understood Scripture. To walk in the law of the Lord is to habitually submit to and practice His instruction. It is “putting Him first” in all my ways – Pro 3:5-6. All direction in life is obtained in His Word. God’s Word directs all directions in life. One thing included in being blameless is that no one can point the finger at me and say: “You did __________ and have never made it right.” It is not that I did something wrong, but that I have never tried to make it right with whomever and in whatever. Consider Psalm 119:1-8, particularly vv. 3-8 that further explain blameless: Vs. 3 He has no outstanding, obvious faults or unrepentant sin because he is concerned with complete obedience from the heart – vs. 4. Vs. 4 Partial obedience is disobedience. He is not characterized by continual failure in any area. The practice of his life is full obedience. Vs. 5 The desire of his heart is to be steadfast in God’s Word. This is the motivation. It is much more than simple external righteousness. He seeks to please the Lord above all. Vs. 6 He avoids shame because he steadfastly obeys from the heart. Vs. 7 A blameless person is growing in his Christian walk because he is teachable. Vs. 8 Constant dependence upon the Lord for the enablement to obey no matter what. He is blessed – deeply satisfied, to be envied with desire – to be envied with desire is the one who trusts the Lord. A blessed person is content but desirous of more when it comes to spiritual growth and personal change. There is a pleasure not found elsewhere when one is blessed. How does one become blameless? 1. The Word of God is the daily manual. 2. Learn full obedience. 3. Seek God with all the heart. 4. Meditate on the Word – vs. 6 5. Become a person of prayer – vs. 5 6. Grow in praise – vs. 7 7. Determine to follow the Lord – vs. 8 "His children after him" – translates to children (male and female), grandchildren, and those around who are influenced by one’s life. Proverbs 14:26 – same word for children. But the primary and immediate context is the home. A man who shows what it really means to fear the Lord shows others how to find refuge in the Lord. "So if I do all this, will it make the ruined relationships of my past better?" Not necessarily but it will make your relationship with Christ and those around you better. You do not necessarily walk away from those relationships but make things right where you can (blameless). It places you in the position of still being able to leave an eternal legacy to those you influence.