SPIRITUALITY

FULNESS OF BLESSING

Mercy and grace are shown together by God to an earnest seeker, as in salvation blessing---mercy in witholding righteous judgment against sin and disobedience to preserve a seeker, and then the blessings to one of grace (unmerited favor) to bestow redemption and for understanding, benefits, care, and all good. No doubt the elect of God (those sanctified who will come to God one day, however slow to

respond) will receive the blessing of His care along the way. A rebellious spirit will miss this. Truly we need mercy and grace by a loving God, for we fail at every turn and are quite helpless. We consider here now that portion which is commit-ted to us, who are saints of God by grace, to embrace His many blessings for our life as we seek to live for Him. - R. L. DeWitt, 7/07

It is helpful to note a thought on blessing from two aspects: God blessing man (essentially giving praise, affection and thanks for trust, honor, and faithfulness), and man blessing God (thanking Him in praise and devotion for who He is, and His gifts and care). A word from another paper says: "What is blessing? Comparing the concordance with the dictionary, we find blessing with more than one meaning, but related: favor or favorable; adore or adorable; benefit; thanks-giving; praiseworthy; and from Greek - eulogeo, as to speak or think well of; thank; praise. The word was translated in the KJV by Old English: bledsian--of

blood, as the means for good---sacrifice for favor and good thoughts, and later pronounced as bless. Surely God's kind thoughts to man, favor, and adoration should evoke man's praise and adoration also to God". - ref: SF 8, Christian Counsel Collection.

Believers in Christ might very well seek fulness of blessing along our pilgrim path-way through this world, yet it remains a fulness only in heaven. The Apostle Paul could speak of "the fulness of the blessing of the gospel", as he declared it all in promise for mankind (Rom.15:29). When one receives the gospel message of salvation and eternal hope in Jesus Christ, he enters in to that sphere of "all spiritual blessings" -Eph. 1:3. The believer possesses it, but may not appropriate it---that is, to be thankful and live in the good of it. Paul set forth much of church truth and the eternal blessings that are given for faithful saints, and they are available if one will open the door of their heart. So much of blessing for our new life in Christ is limited because of our failure; and we surely know the fullness can also only be revealed in heaven, since we cannot comprehend heavenly things now. As we sojourn here, however, great is our portion today in Christ while we look forward to the promise of our eternal blessings.

As we strive to have the blessings of God, we might consider how much of greater goodness we miss because of shallow faith. God is ever ready to bless and greatly, but we are seldom ready to receive it. Blessings here below are closely associated with our relationship with our Lord. The closer we walk with Christ the more we can enjoy of Him and His goodness (Col.1:19). "Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" - James 4:3. Blessings are not about our pleasure and self-indulgence, but rewards of good-ness for honor to God. First of all we need that humble and intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ that delights Him to bless. This applies also to our walk and obedience to the Word which will be rewarded. Our carnal ways will not be blessed, though God may show mercies along our pathway when one honors Him.

God shows blessings to His whole creation---first, by showing mercy from the beginning in not destroying mankind for sin and rebellion; then, in this day of grace God gives blessings of mercy at times to all men for showing honor to God and His people, but He finds pleasure in blessing faithful ones. As the saints earnestly petition Him in devotion and humility about some needs, He will be pleased to provide according to His purposes. Let us as believers not hinder the good by lack of patience, obedience, and trust. How ready are we to receive the grace of God and good?

God always hears our prayers. "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy that it cannot hear, BUT....." -see Isa.59:1-2. Let us understand that the failure is altogether on our part concerning blessings. - RLD