G-d speaks to Abram, identifies himself as El Shaddai (please try not to get distracted by parsing out that name of G-d, because that name is not the point of this post), and commands something peculiar of Abram at the age of ninety-nine.
“Walk before me, and be blameless…”
Permit me to share an expansion of what I saw concerning that comment.
Translation:
Walk before me in such a way that accusations about your behavior that are untrue, negative, and unworthy of my children could never stick.
Exposition:
How many times do we excuse our behavior by saying we are sinners saved by grace (we are not sinners saved by grace; Bill Gaither’s statement is not biblical and deserves to die a horrible death)? HOW MANY TIMES have we said, it’s okay because Yeshua died for my sins and He forgives me?
How many times have we excused our behavior rather than repenting for it?
Now, am I saying there is condemnation when we sin? Absoutely not. I am very much in alignment with the father heart of G-d.
That said, the voice of our life lived before others and the nonverbal rebuke of lives lived in compromise are both strengthened when we walk in a unblameable fashion. Note: this has nothing to do with the religious spirit. And yes, there are people who will never be satisfied with how we walk and will always find something to critique.
That said, if we walk above board, in the ways of accountability that Father has given us, then we will surely not give them added ammunition against us.
Walk in a fashion that does not incur needless blame. If you are going to walk in a way that incurs blame, make darn sure you are being accused for behavior that is worthy of the testimony and authority Yeshua has put in you.
μηδὲ δίδοτε τόπον τῷ διαβόλῳ.