August 19, 2004

THE GUILELESS ONE

"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth" (1 Peter 2:22, KJV).

The apostle Peter was so deeply impressed by the flawless character of his Master that his epistles abound in references portraying Jesus as "holy," "sinless," "spotless," and "guileless."

In this sublime portrait, Peter makes prominent Christ's sinlessness and adds that no "guile was found in His mouth." Of course, his personal association with Jesus qualified him to attest his Master's guilelessness. He had personally seen Christ pass this test (see Matthew 26:60-63; John 18:30). Peter's testimony is that there was never anything deceptive about the words of Christ.

Because Christ's thoughts were pure, no guile could proceed from His mouth. The Master Himself declared, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34, NKJV). Peter's appeal to consider Christ's guilelessness has a dual purpose. First, only a perfect Saviour is qualified to redeem sinful humanity. We have been redeemed by "the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19, NKJV).

The second reason for Christ's guileless life is that He might provide His followers with an example to emulate. Peter said, "To this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps" (1 Peter 2:21, NKJV). And John adds, "Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:3, NKJV). The guilelessness of our great model is also to be the trademark of the redeemed (see Revelation 14:5). "Our Saviour is the Son of man as well as the Son of God. He took humanity upon him, and presented a model for humanity in his pure and perfect character... His life was as complete as a pattern, as his death was complete as a sacrifice."--Signs of the Times, May 16, 1895.

My Prayer Today: Lord, You are my Saviour and my example. Grant me the power to follow You. Amen.