by Prisca | 9 October 2023 08:46 pm10
In the Bible, a blemish refers to a physical or spiritual defect that disqualifies a person, offering, or object from being acceptable before God. The term originates in the Old Testament, where sacrifices brought to God had to be “without blemish” symbolizing purity, perfection, and holiness (Leviticus 1:3, ESV). In the New Testament, the concept is extended spiritually: believers are called to live lives without moral or spiritual blemish as they prepare to meet Christ.
A blemish is any defect, stain, or flaw that corrupts the integrity or purity of something. In practical terms, it could be a boil on someone’s face that mars their beauty, a hole in a roofing sheet that renders it unusable, or a stain on a clean white shirt that makes it unsuitable for wear.
Spiritually, a blemish is a moral or ethical fault sin, hypocrisy, or ungodliness that renders a believer unfit for holy service or disqualifies them from walking in communion with God.
In the Old Testament sacrificial system, offerings had to be without blemish:
Leviticus 1:3 (ESV): “If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the Lord.”
This requirement foreshadowed the perfect, unblemished sacrifice of Christ. Physical blemishes in the Old Testament symbolized deeper spiritual flaws that God would one day remove through Jesus.
Jesus fulfilled the requirement of a blemish free offering through His sinless life and sacrificial death:
1 Peter 1:18–19 (NIV): “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed… but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”
Because Christ was without sin, His sacrifice was acceptable to God. In Him, believers are now called to reflect that same holiness.
God expects His church those redeemed by Christ to be without blemish in their conduct and character. Spiritual blemishes include hidden sins, hypocrisy, and moral failures.
Colossians 1:21–22 (NIV):
“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you… to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”
This is not perfection by human effort but by abiding in Christ and walking in repentance, obedience, and faith.
Such lifestyles reflect spiritual blemishes that disqualify us from holy living and from truly representing Christ.
The church is described as the bride of Christ, and Christ is returning for a bride who is pure and spotless.
Ephesians 5:27 (ESV):
“So that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”
This calls for continual purification through the Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in sanctifying our lives.
We are charged to keep God’s commandments and live in such a way that no blemish or blame is found in us:
1 Timothy 6:13–14 (NIV):
“In the sight of God… I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
And:
James 1:27 (NIV):
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
This kind of religion is not ritualistic but relational, ethical, and self controlled.
Hebrews 9:14 (NIV):
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ… cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
2 Peter 2:13 (NIV):
“They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.”
These verses reinforce the seriousness of living a life that is holy, untainted, and prepared for Christ’s return.
Let us strive, by God’s grace, to be the kind of believers and the kind of church that Christ is coming back for without blemish, without spot, and without blame. May our lives be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1).
May the Lord bless you and give you strength to walk in holiness.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2023/10/09/what-is-a-blemish-a-biblical-perspective/
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