During this crazy season of contagions and quarantines, how might we ask God to bless us? What should we seek from Him? I assume that protection and healing top the list! Is there anything else?
The Bible shows us the Lord has a full range of blessings for His people. He wants to shower us with His blessings! What’s included in this outpouring and when can we look forward to receiving His bounties?
The answers depend in part on our theology. Our reflections on Jesus and the Christian life will affect what we hope for and pray about.
Charismatics
For example, Christians of the Spirit-filled and word of faith persuasions insist that the Lord wants to bless believers here and now in every way imaginable. The gifts of God vary from the infilling of the Holy Spirit and victory over evil forces to financial prosperity and physical healing.
“Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits– 3who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” – Psalm 103:2-5
“Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” – 3 John 2 (NASB)
No need to wonder or wait! God’s Word declares His intention to bless us.
Evangelicals
Churches within the evangelical camp emphasize salvation through the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the chief blessing from which every divine favor derives.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” – Ephesians 1:3
Nothing compares with the finished work of Christ on Calvary. His suffering for us, and our identification with Him, transcend worldly benefits. While we can ask God to meet our material needs, we should focus our prayers on salvation. We do so by thanking God for saving us and interceding for others. Everything else will fade away.
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” – 1 John 2:17
Traditional Protestants and Catholics
Many within mainline Protestant denominations and Catholicism emphasize social justice. In their understanding, blessings mean little unless everyone enjoys them.
And there’s biblical warrant for this stance.
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” – Acts 4:32-35
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:26
These verses remind us that we’re not alone; we belong to a wider fellowship. Our well-being, though important to God, must not take precedence over the welfare of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” – Philippians 2:3-4
This perspective relativizes the self-orientation which too often governs our souls. It even refutes that mindset. Our prosperity matters to God but not at the expense of how we learn to value and love others.
Application
Why choose? Each of the positions outlined above find justification in Scripture. This means that God is challenging us to adopt all these areas. As we do, we will grow in the selfless life of Jesus. God will bless us as we minister with the attitude of a servant.
“Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” – Deuteronomy 15:10
“After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” – Job 42:10
Sometimes we experience God’s rewards soon after we serve. Other times, we see no blessing in this life. But that’s okay because Jesus told us in advance this would happen.
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” – Luke 14:13-14
If we’re willing to imitate Jesus and lay down our lives for others, we will insure their blessing. This is how the apostle Paul conducted himself and we can do the same.
“So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” – 2 Corinthians 4:12
“Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:9
“Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” – 2 Timothy 2:10
The cost is high, but the rewards are worth it!
“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
What’s the ultimate aim of God’s blessings in our lives? That we might nurture others to maturity in Christ. Everything the Lord gives us serves that end.
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