Above Reproach

For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. - Romans 15:3

    To set the record straight, I am not above the reproach of others. I wish I were. I have failed, and do fail, in just about every way imaginable. If I have not laid my hand to do it, or withheld my hand from doing it, I have considered it. I plead guilty to all charges. There is no way to justify or excuse our sin. Therefore we must conclude, as does the Word of God, In this flesh dwelleth no good thing. Repentance before the throne of grace is no alternative for the believer, it is his daily portion. Our Lord has promised: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9).

    There is only one that is above reproach. He is our substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ, who was made a reproach (sin) for us. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me (Rom 15:3). He had no sin of his own, but made our sin his sin, so much so that justice declared he hath made him to be sin. In Christ, the child of God is above reproach; who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us (Rom 8:33-34). However, in this flesh, in this world, as mortal, decaying human beings, we are faulty and corrupt, prone to sin and disgrace.

    Sometimes one worm imagines himself better than another worm, because he has not fallen into the same quagmire as his brother. This is only the sin of self-righteousness! Oh, to be free from this flesh! Some day we will. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory (1 Cor 15:54).